Windows just rolled out an update (8.1) to their mobile platform and overall the update is greeted with praise. Here’s the highlights:
Windows Phone 8.1 review
What can I do for you, David? Theres a woman inside my Lumia 1020 who greets me every time I hit the search button. She keeps my schedule in order, she knows how long its going to take me to get to the airport, and she knows that thanks to traffic Im almost definitely going to miss my flight so really why am I even trying? Shes the centerpiece of Windows Phone 8.1, one of the biggest changes Microsoft has ever made to its mobile operating system. Windows Phone 8.1 review | The Verge
Windows Phone 8.1 finally makes the OS feel whole
Fortunately, each OS gets better with each iteration until, at some point, it just all clicks. Arguably, Windows Phone just came of age with its latest update, version 8.1. Even before today, Windows Phone only had a few big holes remaining and indeed, 8.1 appears to fill those gaps. Via engadget.com
Smarter, better and more personal Tech News and Analysis
After using Windows Phone 8.1 for the past week, the possibility that Belfioreshowed off has become reality: Windows Phone 8.1 is a superb update to Microsofts smartphone operating system. What I like here is how Microsoft has blended the best of Google Now and Apples Siri software. Google Now surfaces contextual information, but has no personality. Smarter, better and more personal Tech News and Analysis
Windows Phone 8.1 Review: Gloriously Good Enough
Windows 8.1′s recent update was a subtle but effective boost. Windows Phone’s 8.1 power up follows the same cues. It’s not mind-blowing, it’s not world-changing, it’s nothing to jump around and scream about, but it turns Windows Phone into something it’s never quite been before: an OS that’s totally good enough.
Still, in and of itself, Windows Phone 8.1 doesn’t offer much that would make you want to switch. Fine is great, but when you’re spending your hard-earned money on a phone you shouldn’t grade on a curve.
There’s not much in Windows 8.1 to make it appealing over other options, and if you’re a true fanboy on either side of the iOS/Android divide, Windows Phone 8.1 offers little reason to switch. Windows Phone 8.1 Review: Gloriously Good Enough
Hands On With Windows Phone 8.1, Microsofts Updated Smartphone OS
Microsoft announced a slew of updates to the Windows Phone platform at its recent Build developer conference. The developer and manufacturer stuff is all well and good, and important, but lets focus today on what is new inside of Windows Phone 8.1, and why it matters. Among what is new, those are the pieces that I found most compelling.
Wrapping shortly as we’ve gone on for some time, Windows Phone 8.1, if you liked the general push of Windows Phone has much to be enjoyed. For those attached to their current, non-Windows smartphone OS, I doubt it will bring them to heel. But as the masses increasingly turn to their first smartphone around the world, it could be a material leg up. Hands On With Windows Phone 8.1, Microsofts Updated Smartphone OS
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly [Review] ReadWrite
Windows Phone is finally all grown up. Well, almost.
To date, Microsoft’s mobile operating system has been an attractive, if somewhat frustrating, member of the Windows family. Windows Phone did all the things a smartphone operating system should—like make calls and texts, download the most popular apps and listen to music and take pictures.
But the experience was limited and rough at the edges. Notifications and settings were often difficult to find, many popular apps weren’t available and the hub-and-tiles interface was stagnant and boring, not to mention identical across phones from different carriers and manufacturers.
Because, let’s face it, a lot of Windows Phone 8.1 has been borrowed or copied from iOS and Android in the first place. Cortana is an imitation of Google Now (sometimes better, sometimes worse) and Siri, to a certain extent.. The pull-down notifications in Action Center are extremely similar to those in Android. Battery Saver and Word Flow are longstanding Android features while automatic app updates have been on both iOS and Android since the middle of 2013 or before. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly [Review] ReadWrite
Windows Phone 8.1 Review (Developer Preview)
Chris Davies Windows Phone 8.1 is no point update. Question is, has Windows Phone kept its crisp, clean charms while still gaining abilities? Weve been in deep with the Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview; read on for our impressions.
Windows Phone 8.1 Review (Developer Preview)
Windows Phone 8.1 review: A magnificent smartphone platform
For the growing number of Windows Phone users, Windows Phone 8 was a frustrating release. As we noted at the time, Windows Phone 8 was a solid and usable smartphone platform, but it lacked any big headline features. It made lots of things a bit better but didn’t do anything to really convince people to give the platform a second look.
