With the likes of iOS and Android dominating the smartphone market, it can be difficult for anyone else to get a look in but finally it seems that Microsoft’s mobile phone OS is finally coming into its own and with the release of Windows Phone 8.1, it surely looks a more serious contender for its more experienced rivals.

The new features and recent updates not only resolve a lot of issues that were experienced with previous versions of the OS but they also give a fresher, more modern feel. Here are just a few of the latest additions you can expect to see in Windows Phone 8.1.

Windows Phone 8.1
Cortana is probably the biggest addition to Windows Phone 8.1 and is Microsoft’s answer to Siri. The digital assistant will tell you the weather conditions as well as the nearest restaurant. Thanks to integration with Bing, Cortana is smart as well as having a little personality

Windows Phone 8.1
The live tiles are what give Windows Phone 8.1 its unique look and Microsoft has now added three-column support for some 8.1 compatible handsets, making it easier to personalize your homescreen with more tiles.

Windows Phone 8.1
The Action Centre now allows you quicker and easier access to your settings and notifications. By pulling down on the top bar, you will see a window pane with toggle switches for things like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Windows Phone 8.1
A new ‘Swipe’ functionality has improved the keyboard, meaning you only have to trace over words rather than tapping on individual letters.

Windows Phone 8.1
Windows Phone 8.1 comes with Internet Explorer 11 and video support for HTML 5.

Windows Phone 8.1
The ‘Sense Apps’ are a great addition to Windows Phone 8.1. The ‘Battery Sense’ will turn off unnecessary functions, while the Wi-Fi Sense will detect and automatically connect you to trustworthy, open networks.

ADDED

-transparant live tile mate ^^ , it MEANS that we can choose what background we like for our tiles at home screen XD

-store is now auto updating our things

-and cortana will detect our interest also our habbits, resulting to show us such as weather, traffic, news, early in the morning as my habbits is to look for those every morning , now the private assistance will made that easier for us to look without opening other application

-added speed dial on phone

-games, photos etc has an UI change

-pressing home screen and opening messages seems to have changed animation

-Signal strength, data connection, Wi-Fi, Battery, Location and more all remain on the screen; they no longer auto-hide

-New People Hub redesign with smaller fonts

-Phone history now groups repeat calls from a user with ‘(#)’ representing number of calls

-Larger font for Time on the Lock screen; moves down on the screen if there are notifications

-Charging notification alert has changed to a shorter, less annoying sound

-Freshly installed apps say ‘new’ under their titles in the App list

-Games are installed under the App list in addition to the Games hub

-Games hub removes SmartGlass linking and adds new Friends and Messages icons

As far as raw functions, here’s what Cortana is capable of:

Phone – make a call

Messaging – send a text message

Calendar – Add an appointment

Flights (e.g.: “what’s the status of AA 125?”)

Reminder – create a reminder (more on that below)

Note – create a note (saved to OneNote) including speech to text and audio recording

Alarm – set an alarm

Music –play music; ID music e.g. ‘What is this song?’

Places – get directions

Settings – e.g. ‘Turn on Wi-Fi’ or ‘Turn off Bluetooth’

Search – Ask a question, search for something, etc.

Search on device – Search for an email or text message from a contact

Third-party app integration – Cortana can deep link into apps, so that you can make a call on Skype, post a Tweet or check-in via Foursquare


and LASTLY there're quiet hours which works like night mode at ipad/iphone
but there're breakthrough features which is :

-Anyone breaks through if they call 2 times in 3 minutes

-Inner circle breaks through

-Texts: Inner circle breaks through; Ask Inner Circle: Break through?; or No one can break through; Reply that I’m busy right now to contacts who aren’t allowed through

so if there's something emergency you would know about it even if you made it at quiet hours, pretty interesting and promising lol


source: my experience and wp 8.1 review