Windows Phone 8.1: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:51, 29 December 2024

Windows Phone 8.1 is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft as the successor to Windows Phone 8. It was announced at Microsoft's Build Conference in April 2014 and released to developers as a preview on April 14, 2014. The update was made available to all Windows Phone 8 devices.

Features[edit]

Windows Phone 8.1 introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessor:

Cortana: A new virtual assistant similar to Apple's Siri and Google Now. Cortana can perform tasks such as setting reminders, recognizing natural voice commands, and providing information from the web.

Action Center: A notification center that provides quick access to settings and notifications from apps.

Word Flow Keyboard: A swipe-based keyboard that allows users to type by sliding their finger across the screen.

Internet Explorer 11: An updated version of the web browser with improved performance and new features.

VPN Support: Enhanced security features including support for virtual private networks.

Wi-Fi Sense: A feature that automatically connects to free Wi-Fi hotspots and shares Wi-Fi credentials with contacts.

Development Tools[edit]

Windows Phone 8.1 was accompanied by updates to the Visual Studio development environment, allowing developers to create universal apps that could run on both Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 devices.

Discontinuation[edit]

Support for Windows Phone 8.1 ended on July 11, 2017, as Microsoft shifted its focus to Windows 10 Mobile.

References[edit]

External Links[edit]

Windows Developer Center

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-[[File:Cortana WP8.1.png|thumb]] [[File:WP8.1 Notification Center.png|thumb]] [[File:Nokia Lumia 930.png|thumb]] {{Infobox software
+{{Infobox software
 | name = Windows Phone 8.1
 | logo = Windows_Phone_logo.png
-| developer = [[Microsoft]]
+| screenshot = Windows_Phone_8.1_Start_Screen.png
+| caption = Windows Phone 8.1 Start Screen
+| developer = [[Microsoft Corporation|Microsoft]]
 | family = [[Windows Phone]]
-| released = April 14, 2014
+| released = {{Start date|2014|04|14}}
-| discontinued = July 11, 2017
+| discontinued = {{End date|2015|07|29}}
 | latest_release_version = 8.10.14234.375
-| latest_release_date = November 2015
+| latest_release_date = {{Start date|2015|07|24}}
-| marketing_target = [[Smartphones]]
+| marketing_target = [[Smartphone]]
-| language = Multilingual
+| program_language = [[C++]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]
-| update_model = [[Over-the-air programming|OTA]]
+| working_state = Discontinued
-| supported_platforms = [[ARM architecture|ARM]]
+| license = [[Proprietary software]]
-| kernel_type = [[Hybrid kernel]]
-| userland = [[Windows NT]]
-| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
 }}
-'''Windows Phone 8.1''' is a mobile operating system developed by [[Microsoft]] as the successor to [[Windows Phone 8]]. It was officially announced at the [[Microsoft Build]] conference in April 2014 and released to developers on April 14, 2014. Windows Phone 8.1 introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessor, aiming to enhance the user experience and expand the capabilities of Windows Phone devices.
+'''Windows Phone 8.1''' is a mobile operating system developed by [[Microsoft Corporation|Microsoft]] as the successor to [[Windows Phone 8]]. It was announced at Microsoft's [[Build (developer conference)|Build Conference]] in April 2014 and released to developers as a preview on April 14, 2014. The update was made available to all Windows Phone 8 devices.
 == Features ==
+Windows Phone 8.1 introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessor:
-=== Cortana ===
+* '''[[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]]''': A new virtual assistant similar to [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] [[Siri]] and [[Google Now]]. Cortana can perform tasks such as setting reminders, recognizing natural voice commands, and providing information from the web.
-One of the most notable features introduced in Windows Phone 8.1 is '''Cortana''', a personal digital assistant similar to [[Apple]]'s [[Siri]] and [[Google]]'s [[Google Now]]. Cortana is designed to provide users with personalized recommendations, reminders, and information based on their preferences and usage patterns. It integrates with various apps and services to offer a seamless experience.
-=== Action Center ===
+* '''Action Center''': A notification center that provides quick access to settings and notifications from apps.
-Windows Phone 8.1 introduced the '''Action Center''', a notification center that allows users to view and manage notifications from different apps. It also provides quick access to settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and airplane mode, enhancing the device's usability.
-=== Start Screen Enhancements ===
+* '''Word Flow Keyboard''': A swipe-based keyboard that allows users to type by sliding their finger across the screen.
-The Start Screen in Windows Phone 8.1 received significant enhancements, including the ability to set a custom background image and additional tile sizes. This allowed for greater personalization and flexibility in how users organized their home screens.
-=== Word Flow Keyboard ===
+* '''[[Internet Explorer 11]]''': An updated version of the web browser with improved performance and new features.
-The '''Word Flow Keyboard''' is an innovative feature that allows users to type by swiping their fingers across the screen, similar to [[Swype]]. This feature was designed to improve typing speed and accuracy on touchscreens.
-=== Internet Explorer 11 ===
+* '''[[VPN]] Support''': Enhanced security features including support for virtual private networks.
-Windows Phone 8.1 included an updated version of [[Internet Explorer]], version 11, which brought improved performance, better standards compliance, and new features such as InPrivate browsing and Reading Mode.
-=== Other Features ===
+* '''[[Wi-Fi Sense]]''': A feature that automatically connects to free Wi-Fi hotspots and shares Wi-Fi credentials with contacts.
-Other notable features of Windows Phone 8.1 include:
-* '''VPN support''': Enhanced security for corporate users.
-* '''Wi-Fi Sense''': Automatically connects to free Wi-Fi hotspots and shares Wi-Fi credentials with trusted contacts.
-* '''Battery Saver''': Provides detailed information on battery usage and allows users to manage app power consumption.
-* '''Storage Sense''': Helps users manage storage space by moving apps and data between the phone and an SD card.
-== Development and Support ==
+== Development Tools ==
-Windows Phone 8.1 was part of Microsoft's effort to unify its software platforms across devices. It shared a common core with [[Windows 8.1]], allowing for easier app development and a more consistent user experience across devices. The operating system was supported until July 11, 2017, after which Microsoft encouraged users to upgrade to [[Windows 10 Mobile]].
+Windows Phone 8.1 was accompanied by updates to the [[Visual Studio]] development environment, allowing developers to create [[Universal Windows Platform|universal apps]] that could run on both Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 devices.
-== Reception ==
+== Discontinuation ==
-Windows Phone 8.1 received generally positive reviews for its improvements over Windows Phone 8. Critics praised the addition of Cortana, the Action Center, and the enhanced Start Screen. However, the platform continued to face challenges in app availability compared to [[iOS]] and [[Android]].
+Support for Windows Phone 8.1 ended on July 11, 2017, as Microsoft shifted its focus to [[Windows 10 Mobile]].
-== Also see ==
+== See Also ==
-* [[Windows Phone 8]]
+* [[Windows Phone Store]]
-* [[Windows 10 Mobile]]
 * [[Microsoft Lumia]]
-* [[Cortana]]
+* [[Mobile operating system]]
-* [[Internet Explorer]]
+== References ==
+* [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-phone-8-1 Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 Official Page]
+* [https://blogs.windows.com/build/2014/04/02/windows-phone-8-1-unveiled-at-build-2014/ Windows Phone 8.1 Unveiled at Build 2014]
-{{Windows Phone}}
+== External Links ==
+* [https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows Windows Developer Center]
 [[Category:Windows Phone]]
 [[Category:Mobile operating systems]]
 [[Category:Microsoft software]]
+[[Category:2014 software]]