The most important upgrade points for 10 Microsoft WP8.1 users

Computer Shop News: About Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, the current upgrade information is like this: In 2014, Microsoft will officially release WP8.1. In 2015, Microsoft will merge Windows Phone and Windows RT system. Obviously, the Microsoft WP system upgrade seems to be accelerating. In the past, the system appeared to grow at a rate of 0.1 per year, and the jokes that will be upgraded to WP8.3 in 2016 seem to be outdated.

According to developers, Nokia and Microsoft have begun internal testing of the massive Windows Phone 8.1 (codenamed Blue) system. This is another large-scale system upgrade after Microsoft's WP8 GDR3 firmware update. Many WP mobile phone users and Microsoft supporters have strong confidence in this upgrade. Everyone hopes that in this upgrade, Microsoft can completely clear the current WP. The obvious flaws in the system make the Microsoft mobile phone more usable.

Although I have just experienced a relatively large system upgrade, the WP8 system still has some obvious defects that need to be corrected urgently. Some seemingly easy to correct "stubborn disease" has even existed since the WP7 era. However, it has not changed after 3 years. And will the performance of the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 be satisfactory to everyone? Judging by the upgrade of GDR3, Microsoft's recent system defects for users' high voices are still very sincere. When I personally judge, Windows Phone 8.1 will be the highest satisfaction system upgrade in WP history.

We have summarized the most important upgrade points for Microsoft WP users to the new system. Most of these are basic functions, which are due to previous Microsoft design flaws. If Microsoft wants to be in 2014 Let the WP system go further, at least to appease the existing loyal users, and then talk about expanding the market.

First, to ensure that WP8 users can upgrade

“ WP8 can not upgrade WP8.1”, more than once appeared in all kinds of "industry" & rdquo; mouth or pen, However, according to the information we have at present, this statement should be misrepresented. Judging from the system version, W8.1 is an upgrade within the WP8 version. No matter how big the change is, it is impossible to cause the problem that it cannot be upgraded. In addition, after experiencing WP7 and WP8 twice "upgrade door", Microsoft could not make such a stupid thing again.

WP8.1 will be officially launched in 2014. This push and subsequent Windows Phone/Windows RT system merges for only one year. If the old device cannot be upgraded, the loss will be more than just the consumer. The huge losses brought by product manufacturers are also unacceptable to Microsoft.

In addition, a senior executive of the Microsoft Windows Phone team also confirmed that: Recently, Microsoft has not received any news about WP8's inability to upgrade WP8.1. All claims that cannot be upgraded can be considered as rumor.

Second, system /phone, volume separation

Volume separation and gravity lock, is a significant functional defect of the WP system from birth, after the user complained for many years, the gravity lock function is finally Not long ago, GDR3 appeared, but the volume separation function still exists only in the deep mind of consumers.

What is volume separation? At present, the WP operating system adopts the operation mode of unified volume control. If the user adjusts the ringtone of the mobile phone to the maximum, it means that the volume of various games, movies, music and other applications will also become the maximum. On the contrary, if you adjust the volume when you are playing the game, then the ringtone of the phone will also become smaller ……

It can be said that the volume separation should be any software company. As a piece of cake, as far as Microsoft itself is concerned, as early as in the Windows Mobile 5 era, mobile phones can adjust the system volume and phone volume separately, but the current situation is three years has passed, Microsoft has not yet moved. So, will WP8.1, which will appear next year, meet the small requirements of users?

Third, more convenient background management

Before the GDR3 update, the background management interface of Microsoft WP system can not close the program that users see, of course, the WP system "tombstone" In the background, the meaning of closing the program is not as big as the Android system. However, in actual use, after all, many programs are actually running in the background, so many users have more demand for closing the background program.

In the GDR3 update, Microsoft added the shutdown function to the system, but the shutdown method is not the current mainstream sliding operation, but a close icon is added in the upper right corner of each program thumbnail. This way is both ugly and difficult, so the user's response is not good.

Looking forward to the more convenient background program management in the WP8.1 system, after all, as a smart phone, the management daemon is a very basic function. Even Apple's iOS, belonging to the "tombstone" system, its background management is also improving year by year.

Fourth, the notification center

After the six columns of icons appear in GDR3, the function of the notification center is more important than ever. Of course, the “Notification Center” has always been one of the most anticipated functions of Windows Phone users. This function is equivalent to the drop-down menus on Andorid and iOS. Its main function is to make it easy for users to view all kinds of different kinds. Pushing a lot of push information and various news that people are annoying.

User notification interface in the notification center

In fact, before the GDR3 update, there was news that Microsoft would add the notification center function, and even the screenshots were exposed, but unfortunately, Microsoft is cool, this is also a matter of expectation.

Will WP8.1 add the notification center to the system? I hope so, but I am not surprised if I am not. Think about it, the WP phone under the 6-column icon, the full screen information prompt, will make the user crazy?

V. Voice Assistant "Cortana"

In any mobile phone system, the voice assistant is just a chicken rib. For this function, there are many users expecting Microsoft to show strength. Developed features that are easier to use than Siri.

There is news that Microsoft is already developing a digital voice assistant similar to Apple Siri. According to internal news, the voice assistant will be named "Cortana", which is derived from a character in the game Halo 2. It is said that Cortana will be fully applied to Microsoft's TellMe service, and its functionality is similar to Apple's Siri.

In addition, Microsoft will integrate this voice assistant into most major products, such as Xbox and Windows devices. If nothing else, the voice assistant will be integrated into the updated version of Windows Phone 8.1 early next year.

Cortana was originally restricted to US users, while users outside the US will have to wait until the end of 2014 to use this virtual assistant. In the current situation, Cortana may still be just a code name, and some people have already asked Microsoft to choose a more branded name for this assistant.

Sixth, the percentage of electricity display

This small function can currently be solved with third-party software, but only the power data can be placed on the desktop by magnetic labeling. The percentage of electricity is not suitable for everyone. I think that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder like me can't use this kind of function. When watching the power drop a little bit, there is always a feeling that life is not as good as death.

But it’s not a reason to be unsuitable for everyone. After all, many users have complained for many years, and now Android and iOS can turn on or off the percentage of power, taking into account the needs of ordinary humans and OCD patients. And this little thing, only Microsoft in the three systems can't.

Similarly, before the GDR3 update, the percentage is also one of the predictive features, as well as screenshot exposure, although not as scheduled, but I believe that there will be some on WP8.1.

VII. Displaying the call time

The existing WP phone cannot view the call duration in the call log, 呃…… incredible design. In short, I hope to have it in WP8.1.

Eight, more beautiful UI

Friends who like WP system, basically in the beginning are out of Microsoft's alternative UI style, but after a long time will find others “ The chance of hitting the screen is too big. All WP users are black and white, which is undoubtedly a satire for Microsoft, which has always advocated personalization.

If there is a certain color to form the basis, and then spend some time to arrange, in fact, the interface of WP8 can be arranged more pleasingly. However, the actual situation is that there are not many users with aesthetic basis and skills, and Microsoft's color limitation of the system itself is too rigid. Therefore, most of the desktops of WP users are in a state of color.

For the expectation of WP8.1, first of all, we hope that Microsoft can design several colors for WP icons. Although it is also a solid color box, the squares on Winows 8.1 are obviously much better, because Win8.1 The different icons on the different colors are used, and the aesthetics are high.

In addition, if you can reduce the icon, it is better to join the desktop background (possibly low), friends who like solid color can continue to use the black desktop, and users who don't like it can also choose the background they like. image.

IX. Open more APIs

Microsoft's embarrassment about the WP system API is really amazing. Although this is only for developers' development restrictions, it has caused ordinary users in use. Certainly affected. Many old users who have used WP for many years are looking forward to Microsoft opening more APIs to developers. Reflected in the consumer itself, all browsers used by WP mobile phone users are IE kernel, no third-party input method is available, no call firewall … …

Microsoft is similar to Apple in this respect, Apple's performance Similarly, I hope that Microsoft can open up, after all, Apple is in a downturn and Microsoft is not.

API (Application Programming Interface) is actually a call interface left by the operating system to the application. The application calls the operating system's API to make the operating system execute the application's command (action). . Different operating systems have different degrees of openness to the API, and Android is better than Apple and Microsoft in this regard.

X. System Appearance Customization

The concept of customization comes from the 6-column small icon interface brought by GDR3. Before the system is officially pushed, many old users are looking forward to using it. This new UI, which is very popular, does not mean how easy it is to use the 6 columns. It just wants to bring some changes to the system that is unchanged. But unfortunately, GDR3 has limited the size of the screen, and new and old models with smaller sizes will not be able to use the new interface.

Just when everyone is about to despair, the Samsung i8750 after jailbreak has realized the mysterious 6-column icon display on GDR3 within a few seconds by modifying the registry. This small case fully illustrates that on WP phones, Microsoft wants to achieve some personalized look is easy.

Since it is as simple as modifying the registry, can you add some user options on WP8.1 to let users decide how their phones are displayed? A user with a small screen can turn up the icon, and a friend with good vision can use a 6-column icon for a 4.5-inch screen.

A small change can bring a lot of convenience and fun to the user. Stereotypes are either genius or hopeless. In 2014, WP8.1, Microsoft is working hard to develop, we will wait and see.