Technically we should temper this information with a warning that the Windows Phone 8.1 SDK distributed by Microsoft is a preview, so these things are subject to change.
That said, the flow of information about what is in store for Windows Phone 8.1 is steady and ongoing despite the NDA that developers are supposed to be honoring while they get poke around the OS.
As is becoming evident, Windows Phone 8.1 is a significant overhaul, not just some “nice-to-have” incremental feature update. As you will see from the list below, it is clear that Windows Phone 8.1 is bringing the goods to capitalize on the foundation that Windows Phone 8 brought to bear 18 months ago.
Notable items on the list include “Quiet Hours,” a do-not-disturb feature, support for password protected Office documents, “Write when I swipe through letters,” and backups now include application data.
Here is the latest (and biggest) list of things to come:
Sharing secure WI-Fi Networks with contacts if they have Wi-Fi Sense. They don’t get to see the shared password though
Social notifications will now show up in action center by swiping from the top of the screen
Operators can now control data sense limits remotely
Operators can also install certain applications once a SIM card is detected
Along with normal updates, there are now “important” updates.
Options to always download emails and pictures within them
Encrypted and signed e-mail support
Change default SMS app. You can also change which SMS app will show notifications.
Enterprise enrolled phones can have their passwords changed and remotely locked
“Type as I swipe through letters”. This means we will be seeing Swype-like functionality.
Geofence monitoring support. Geofence is a boundary around a place of interest to you. Location services can monitor geofences to tell your apps when you’re entering and leaving them. This would be really good for IFTTT
Office Lens support. Will scan in documents and screens
The phone will have to update to the latest version before you can restore it to factory settings
Option to update store apps automatically
Option to update store apps when only on Wi-Fi
App Suggestions by location
Manual App Update checks
Video Calling Support? I don’t know if we will be given choices of which VOIP provider to use. Maybe Skype video calling will be built-in?
Password protected Office document support
Trusted app list for NFC that will remove the need for asking whether you want to open a particular app.
In-call speech commands. You’ll be able to say “Call XXXXXX”.
Double-Tap to unlock your phone (Feature from Lumia devices on Amber Update and newer)
Lock Notification (Feature from Lumia devices on Amber Update and newer I was thinking of Glance for some reason. This could also mean notifications of apps on the lock screen. We don’t know where these strings are being used in the UI, so this one is a speculation)
Quiet Hours (FINALLY)
Double Tap to Power Off
Notification if charger isn’t of adequate power
Screenshot button combination is now Power + Volume Up (Since the newer phones will have the start button on screen)
Chkdsk for SD Cards essentially
Apps on SD Cards are only allowed from ONE originating phone. If it detects that apps from another phone are installed on the SD Card, then it will ask to delete those first
Voice Narrator for Accessibility
The Search button will be the new way to open Speech instead of the Start button
New Email sync options with accordance to usage patterns (i.e. If you get a lot of mail on particular days and if you don’t check mail every day).
Change the size and amount of tiles on your start screen.
Wallet supports tickets and membership cards
App Syncing
Backups now include application data (ABOUT TIME)
Screen Reader functionality (Maybe Text-To-Speech for apps?)
Screen Recording functionality
Inner Circle of contacts. Up to 40 contacts can be in the inner circle.
You can favorite photos by tapping a heart icon
Virtual SmartCard support
That is quite a list! Remember, we are sure to see changes before Windows Phone 8.1 reaches RTM status. Until then though, it looks like a lot of detail is being addressed with this upgrade.
Take a look and tell us what else you hope to see in Windows Phone 8.1
Maxwell Ramsey has made significant contributions to PhoneArena through his detailed reporting on technology policy and advancements, such as wireless charging standards and FCC regulations, helping demystify complex topics for a broad readership.
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