(UPDATED x3 ) WP 8.1 Features Leaked; Full Announcement Expected April 2nd

As the inevitable release of WP 8.1 comes closer, we’re learning more and more about the upcoming features; the major one of which is the Action Center that was leaked a few days ago. Now as Microsoft have begun sending out developer builds of the SW we have a whole new slew of information to get excited about.

The new features are:

• VPN Support
• Battery Power Sense (think Data sane, but for battery tracking)
• Ability to change the default messaging app (like the ability to change the camera app).. oh the endless possibilities if this is done right
• OneDrive
• Separate Music and Video hubs
• A new podcast app (hopefully available globally)
• Apps can be installed to SD cards (option to be disabled as well), appears to be called “Storage Sense”, screenshot below.
• Better multitasking (more like windows 8), where the back button freezes apps in the background rather than ending them, meaning that we should be seeing a lot less loading times.
• The new SDK includes “Universal App” support with templates to build Windows Store and Windows Phone Store apps from the same shared HTML and JavaScript code, which is the first step towards RT/Windows 8 and Windows Phone merging together.
• New Camera UI
• Swipe down to close apps
• Improved Youtube player in browser
• navigation bar color options
• Geofencing API for location-based reminders
• Background tasks: Bluetooth signal strength, Chat message notification, Device connection change, Device use trigger, Gatt characteristic notification, Location, Push notification, Rfcomm connection, System event, Timer
• Auto updates for Apps
• File Picker
• Deeper Twitter and Facebook integration
• Select multiple live tiles

The developers have also noted that access to the Bing search area is currently restricted, hinting that it’s due for a proper overhaul (fingers crossed for universal search), there was also no sign of the virtual assistant “Cortana”, but we’re confident that it’s coming and Microsoft are just keeping that one close the chest. The full reveal is expected to be at the Microsoft Build conference on April 2nd, so not much longer now. 

Update:

Some other changes that are included in the build:

• A new camera UI as seen in the screengrab with the top bar for lenses, flash, front / rear camera selection, while the bottom app bar switches between a single photos, video, and a burst mode new
• Revamped Youtube player in browser, where videos can actually play in the webpage (without going into full screen)
• Close apps in the multitasking view by swiping down

Update x2:

Courtesy of Reddit we now have a screenshot of the Battery Sense, as well as the “swiping down to close” in action, both very welcome features. We’ve also heard that the full announcement of WP 8.1 will be on April 2nd, at the Microsoft Build conference so expect to see the rest of the OS debuted there (including the refined Bing search, Cortana and more).

Update x3:

Other features also include:

• navigation bar color options
• Geofencing API for location-based reminders
• Background tasks: Bluetooth signal strength, Chat message notification, Device connection change, Device use trigger, Gatt characteristic notification, Location, Push notification, Rfcomm connection, System event, Timer
• Auto updates for Apps
• File Picker
• Deeper Twitter and Facebook integration
• Select multiple live tiles

Via TheVerge, WPC, Source Reddit (gone now)

Tags: featured

Category: Lumia, Nokia, Windows Phone