Announcing Windows Phone 8 GDR3 OS update details — plus a new developer preview program (Technically for "Everyone")

Microsoft today will detail the features coming in its third major update to Windows Phone 8, now called Update 3. Update 3 will be made available for free to existing handsets over the next several months, as you might expect. But the good news is that Microsoft will also allow developers--really, anyone--early access to Update 3 starting tomorrow.

The Windows Phone Team had three main engineering goals in mind when developing Update 3:

1. Enable incredible new Windows Phone devices.
2. Enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners.
3. Improve overall quality.

Here are the features to be unlocked with Update 3

Support for bigger, higher-resolution screens

So the new update paves the way for future Windows Phone devices with 5- and 6-inch touch screens. The larger, 1080p HD displays on these devices will make Windows Phone even more personal—for example by sporting jumbo-sized Start screens with room for six Live Tiles across instead of four.
A bigger Start screen means the ability to pin even more of the people, info, and apps that matter to you. Built-in apps and Hubs like email, Photos, People, and Music and Videos will also be carefully scaled to take full advantage of the additional real estate on 6-inch screens.

 



More powerful hardware

In addition to larger screens, Update 3 will also bring support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor. The added horsepower that this chip delivers should make our already-fluid operating system perform even better.

Driving Mode

A new feature called Driving Mode helps you get from point A to point B with fewer distractions. Working with a connected Bluetooth device, Driving Mode is designed to limit notifications on the lock screen—including texts, calls, and quick status alerts—until you’re safely parked.

 

You can even configure Driving Mode to send automatic replies to people who call or text when you’re behind the wheel, to let them know you’ll get back to them.

New accessibility features

Another highlight of the new update is Mobile Accessibility for Windows Phone 8, which isn’t a single feature but a suite of apps designed to make Windows Phone easier to see, hear, and use. The apps, which include a screen reader, make it easier for blind and visually impaired users to manage calls and contacts, send texts and emails, browse the web, make Skype and Lync calls, and hear notifications like alarms, calendar events, and low-battery warnings.

Improved Internet Sharing

In Update 3 made it easier to use your phone as a data-savvy hotspot for Windows 8.1 devices. Just pair your phone and Windows 8.1 PC or tablet over Bluetooth, tap your network name, and you'll be connected and ready to go. No need to enter a password or dig out your phone and turn on Internet Sharing—it's done for you.

Besides hundreds of under-the-hood performance tweaks and enhancements, Update 3 also added a bunch of small but handy new features, including several that you’ve been asking for. They include:

More useful ringtones: With Update 3, you can use custom ringtones for more things—including instant messages, emails, voicemails, and reminders. You can also assign custom ringtones to contacts for text messages, so you'll know who's texting you without even looking.

No more twist and shout: Does your screen keep spinning when you’re trying to read emails in bed? Use the new rotation lock option to keep it fixed in place.

Better storage management: New storage settings make it easier to free up space on your phone and manage temporary files. A new category view shows what's taking up space at a glance.

Easily close apps: Now you can use the App switcher to quickly close apps when you're finished with them.

Wi-Fi access out of the box: You can now connect to Wi-Fi during phone set up, so you can start conserving cellular data right out of the box.

Better Bluetooth: The team made a bunch of improvements to improve connection quality for Bluetooth accessories.

So when will all this be coming to your phone? As we mentioned earlier, the rollout initially kicks off in the coming weeks and will continue over several months. Specific timing depends on a number of factors including your carrier and phone model.


SOMETHING SPECIAL IF YOU ARE A DEVELOPER

Microsoft is also announcing a developer preview program, whereby they can get early access to these updates, including Update 3. To qualify, you will need to meet these criteria:

1. You’re a registered Windows Phone Store developer. ( Microsoft's Windows Phone developer program, however, is just $19. Which is quite a bargain.)
2. You’re a registered Windows Phone App Studio developer. (You can also use an App Studio account—which is free )
3. Your phone is “developer-unlocked”

Microsoft notes that the version of Update 3 you download this way will only include Microsoft's code, and not the handset maker and carrier firmware, driver and other software updates that will be added to the public release. And when you participate in this program, you can only move forward with regards to updates: There's no going back. Furthermore, it's possible this update will void your wireless carrier warranty.



Source: Windows Phone Blog & Paul Thurrott Blog