Hands-on with full release of Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia

The Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview launched in April and I loaded it up on my Nokia Lumia 1020. My awesome Nokia Lumia 1520 just received the official Windows Phone 8.1 and Nokia Cyan updates yesterday morning and it looks like the Lumia 1520 is my daily driver again.Windows Phone 8.1 improvements

The major new feature of Windows Phone 8.1 is Cortana and I have come to find it much better than Siri or Google Now over the past couple of months. I especially love the location-based reminders that let me make shopping lists appear when I arrive at the specific store applicable to that shopping list.

In addition to Cortana, Windows Phone 8.1 brings:

  • Quiet hours and Inner Circle in Cortana
  • Action Center
  • Word Flow keyboard
  • Start screen backgrounds
  • Backup and sync options
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Updated Calendar application
  • Wi-Fi Sense, Data Sense, Storage Sense, and Battery Saver
  • Installed and updated apps show New in app list
  • Speed Dial under Phone utility
  • Live lock screen beta
There are many more improvements in Windows Phone 8.1; check out the Microsoft announcement with all the details. After using the Developer Preview, I just couldn't even use my Lumia 1520 again when I took it back to 8.0 as I waited for the 8.1 update to hit my device. Check out my screenshot gallery to see how some of these improvements look on a Nokia Lumia 1520.

Read more at: Hands-on with the full release of Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan | ZDNet
 
Thanks, Shawn. That's quite a positive review! And, of course, 100% correct! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Cortana is cute and I especially like Wi-Fi Sense since I'm on a limited connection at home. May actually consider moving SIM from my Android phone, maybe. Still don't like tiles, especially the generic same colored ones.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
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