New week, new leaks. That has a nice ring to it. We’re back on the Windows Phone 8.1 leak train today to recap everything that happened over the weekend. Most of the bigger features from the WP 8.1 SDK have already been leaked, but now some of the smaller features are being discovered. Let’s catch you up on everything you missed.
On Friday we asked “do you want background wallpapers in Windows Phone 8.1?” Now we can say with certainty that background wallpapers are indeed coming to Windows Phone 8.1. We still aren’t sure exactly how they will work. By the way, the Start Screen may also be able to use the three column layout on all devices. Microsoft is still testing this.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Windows Phone 8.1 is a massive overhaul of the entire OS. Almost every single nook and cranny has received some attention. Microsoft has been working extremely hard on this update for almost 2 years. The list of features below just goes to show how much will be new in Windows Phone 8.1.
- Options to always download emails and pictures within them
- Encrypted and signed e-mail support
- Geofence monitoring support
- Office Lens
- The phone will have to update to the latest version before you can restore it to factory settings
- 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 or power off
- Quiet Hours
- Screenshot button combination is now Power + Volume Up
- 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
- 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. syncs automatically based on how often you typically check your email)
- Wallet supports tickets and membership cards
- App Syncing
- Wallet supports tickets and membership cards
- 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
Some of these features require a little explanation. Quiet Hours will enable you to have a set period of time where notifications are disabled. This is perfect for bed time. Office Lens will enable users to take photos of real life documents, white boards, and other texts and optimizes them for viewing on your phone.
All of these SDK changes don’t even include Cortana or the Action Center. There is a ton of new stuff coming to Windows Phone 8.1, and we can’t wait. What are you most excited for?
[via wpdaily
