Microsoft has a free update to Windows Phone 8 users that will
add a notification center, an intelligent Siri-like personal assistant, and new
home screen options. The Windows Phone 8.1 update has not been officially
released to the public. The exact date when the update will be available will
depend on your smartphone manufacturer. As Microsoft stated, "The distribution
of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the
phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will
require that your phone have any prior updates. Update availability will also
vary by country, region, and hardware capabilities." However, if you want
a sneak peek of the Windows Phone 8.1 update, you can download the developers
preview here.
For some Windows Phone 8.1 tips and tricks, check out the list below:
Swipe Down on Action Center for Detailed Status
The Action Center can be accessed by swiping from the top of the
screen down. This will provide you with information and functions including
recent emails and text messages, updated apps, enable Bluetooth, Airplane mode,
and more. It even allows you to view detailed status on your battery, carrier
connection, date, and more.
Pin Battery Saver and Storage Sense to the Start Screen
With the Windows Phone 8.1 update, the Battery Saver and Storage
Sense features have been included in the App list. Because of this, you can now
pin them to your Start screen. Microsoft even made them Live tiles to make them
reflect your current battery status and current storage space (both phone and
SD card storage).
Tell Cortana What News Topic You Want to Follow
Cortana is Microsoft's equivalent to Apple's Siri and Android's
Google Now. It is an intelligent personal assistant that is capable of web
searches, hands-free calls, scheduling appointments, identifying current
weather, launching apps, and so much more. Cortana's Update
me on this news topic is
a feature that will track the topic you want and show any news in your Daily
Glance. You can tap on the topic to enable notifications if there are new
stories, as well as pin it to your Start screen.
Display the Weather Directly on the Calendar
Among the many Calendar enhancements made with the Windows phone
8.1, one of the coolest is its ability to display the weather forecast for each
day of the week to help you plan your schedule and appointments more
efficiently based on the expected weather bulletin. To display the weather
directly on the native Calendar app, go to Calendar > Settings > Preferences, and then
tap the Use my location to show the weather
and suggested places box.
Capture a Screenshot
To capture a screenshot in Windows Phone 8.1, press the power
button and the volume up key simultaneously.
Share Your Wi-Fi Network
Wi-Fi Sense is a new feature introduced in Windows Phone 8.1
that allows you to automatically connect to local, open Wi-Fi networks. In
addition, Wi-Fi Sense also allows you to share the Wi-Fi credentials of your
trusted networks with your Skype, Outlook, and Facebook friends provided they
have Windows Phone 8.1 devices as well. With this, your friends will have
access to your Wi-Fi network, but they will not see the actual Wi-Fi password.
Scan Barcodes and QR Codes
Using Cortana will make you lose the ability to scan barcodes
through Bing Vision. But, you can still access Bing Vision, although not as
conveniently as before, by going to Camera > Lenses > Bing Vision.
Close Apps with a Swipe of a Finger
Windows Phone 8.1 will allow you to close apps with just a swipe
of a finger. To do this, access Windows Phone's multitasking menu by long
pressing the back button. Once inside, you can quickly go to a previously
opened app, or close it by either pressing the x icon or swiping the app downward.
Swipe Down on the Lock Screen to Access Action Center
With Windows Phone 8.1, you will be able to access Action Center
without unlocking your screen so you can toggle the Quick action buttons and
dismiss alerts. To do this, just swipe down on the Lock screen even if it
requires a PIN code. However, if you want to read anything, you will need to
enter the PIN code.
Set Quiet Hours
Quiet Hours is Windows Phone's equivalent to the Do Not Disturb
feature in iOS. With Quiet Hours, you will be able to set the time between
which you do not want to be disturbed. Your Windows Phone will then stop all
notifications or any noise during the hours you have specified so as not to
bother you. That is unless you have an incoming call from an important person,
in which case you will be alerted of the call or the text message.
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