Windows Phone 8.1

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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.

Features

Cortana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Reception

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.

Also see

• Windows Phone 8
• Windows 10 Mobile
• Microsoft Lumia
• Cortana
• Internet Explorer