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:
- Enable incredible new Windows Phone devices.
- Enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners.
- Improve overall quality.
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.
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:
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:
- You’re a registered Windows Phone Store developer. ( Microsoft's Windows Phone developer program, however, is just $19. Which is quite a bargain.)
- You’re a registered Windows Phone App Studio developer. (You can also use an App Studio account—which is free )
- Your phone is “developer-unlocked”
Source: Windows Phone Blog & Paul Thurrott Blog
