Microsoft has finally announced
the much-anticipated third update for Windows Phone 8. The company also
mentions that the new update will be rolled out in the coming weeks and will be
counting for some months depending on the carrier and phone models. However,
the company has not detailed anything about region-specific rollouts of the
latest third Windows Phone update.
The new update, previously
thoughts to be called the Windows Phone GDR3 update, brings some of the most
awaited features to the Windows Phone platform that includes support for bigger
display (5-inch and 6-inch displays) that will now house six Live Tiles instead
of four, as found in previous version; support for higher resolution (full-HD
or 1080p) displays, which paves the way for yet to be released Windows Phone
devices (like rumoured Nokia Lumia 1520); support for more powerful processors,
like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, and improvements in
Internet sharing, which now adds a pairing feature for a Windows Phone 8 device
and Windows 8.1 PC or tablet over Bluetooth for sharing cellular data via W-Fi
hotspot.
The third Windows Phone 8 update
also adds more ‘Mobile Accessibility’ features for Windows Phone 8 devices,
including a suite of apps like screen reader, meant for the convenience of
blind and visually impaired users, allowing them to manage calls, contacts,
texts, emails and also hear notification like calendar, alarm, events and
low-battery warnings.
The latest update for the Windows
Phone 8 platform brings a new Driving Mode feature that will limit
notifications for calls, texts and emails on the phone’s lock screen while
driving. This feature can also be set for automatic replies to contacts for
calls and texts while driving.
There are some minor changes
added to the third WP8 update that include custom ringtones for messages,
emails, voicemails, reminders and contacts; new rotation lock option to keep
the device’s screen in place while using it; new storage management feature
that will allow users to free up space on the phone and manage temporary files;
app switcher to close background apps; enhancements in connection quality for
Bluetooth-attached accessories and finally a user will be prompted to set Wi-Fi
during phone startup process.
Darren Laybourn, Corporate Vice
President, Windows Phone further adds in a blog post, "When we sat down to
plan our latest official update to Windows Phone 8, we had three main
engineering goals in mind - enable incredible new Windows Phone devices,
enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners and
improve overall quality."
