- Windows Phone 8.1
- Windows Phone 8.1 Iso Download
- Windows Phone 8.1 Store
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1
- Windows Phone 8.1 Secret Codes
Windows 10 Mobile's various branches (Threshold, Redstone, etc.) each have 24 month support on a rolling programme, while Windows Phone 8.1 was originally specced with a 36 month support window. Microsoft has no plans to push the Windows 10 Mobile upgrade proactively to Windows Phone 8.1 handsets that are eligible for the upgrade. Customers can upgrade eligible Windows Phone 8.1 devices to Windows 10 Mobile, but should note that support for all versions of Windows.
A version of the Windows Phone operating system | |
Developer | Microsoft Corporation in association with Nokia |
---|---|
Source model | Closed-source |
Released to manufacturing | April 14, 2014; 5 years ago |
General availability | August 4, 2014; 5 years ago |
Latest preview | 8.10.15116.125 / April 10, 2015; 4 years ago[1] |
Update method | Firmware over the air and via Windows Phone Store |
Platforms | |
Kernel type | Hybrid (NT kernel)[2] |
License | |
Preceded by | Windows Phone 8 (2012) |
Succeeded by | Windows 10 Mobile (2015) |
Official website | Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index) |
Support status | |
Unsupported as of July 11, 2017[3] |
Windows Phone 8.1 is the third generation of Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system, succeeding Windows Phone 8. Rolled out at Microsoft's Build Conference in San Francisco, California, on April 2, 2014, it was released in final form to Windows Phone developers on April 14, 2014 and reached general availability on August 4, 2014.[4][5][6][7][8] All Windows Phones running Windows Phone 8 can be upgraded to Windows Phone 8.1,[9] with release dependent on carrier rollout dates.[10]
Windows Phone 8.1 is also the last version that uses the Windows Phone brand name as it was succeeded by Windows 10 Mobile. Some Windows Phone 8.1 devices are capable of being upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile. Microsoft delayed the upgrade and reduced the supported device list from their initial promise.[11]
- 1History
- 2Features
- 2.3Apps and Windows Phone Store
- 3Hardware
History[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 was first rumored to be Windows Phone Blue, a series of updates to Microsoft's mobile operating system that would coincide with the release of Windows 8.1. Although Microsoft had originally planned to release WP8.1 in late 2013, shortly after the release of its PC counterpart,[12] general distribution of the new operating system was pushed back until early 2014.[13]
Instead of waiting over a year to add new features to Windows Phone 8, Microsoft opted to release three incremental updates to its existing mobile OS. These updates are delivered with corresponding firmware updates for the specific devices. The updates included GDR2 (Lumia Amber), which introduced features such as 'Data Sense',[14] and GDR3 (Lumia Black), which brought support for quad-core processors, 1080p high-definition screens of up to six inches, the addition of a 'Driving Mode,' and extra rows of live tiles for larger 'phablet' devices.[15]
The updated operating system's final name was leaked to the public when Microsoft released the Windows Phone 8.1 SDK to developers on February 10, 2014,[5] but it wasn't until Microsoft's Build conference keynote on April 2, 2014 when Windows Phone 8.1 was officially announced, alongside the Windows 8.1 Update. The final shipping code was released to registered users of the 'Preview for Developers' program on April 14, 2014,[4] and to the general public in subsequent months, the actual release date being determined by the devices' wireless carriers and accompanied with firmware updates, including Lumia Cyan.
Preview for Developers[edit]
The 'Preview for Developers' program was initiated in October 2013 with the release of Windows Phone 8 Update 3. The program was intended for developers and enthusiasts to gain immediate access to OS updates as they become available from Microsoft, bypassing wireless carriers and OEMs who test changes before including device-specific firmware updates.[16] Users of the 'Preview for Developers' program do not void their warranty in most cases and can install any future firmware that is included with their carrier's official rollout of Windows Phone 8.1.[5]
The Windows Phone software updates delivered through 'Preview for Developers' are complete, finished versions of the OS, as opposed to the Windows 10 Mobile builds in the Windows Insider program, which are preview versions of the software that are intended for users to try out new features before the final release and may contain bugs.
Features[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 introduces a host of notable new features, most of which were unveiled in a preview released to developers on February 10.[17]
Cortana[edit]
Cortana on Windows Phone 8.1
Cortana is a personal virtual assistant that was added in Windows Phone 8.1, and is similar to Google Now and Apple's Siri. The Cortana name derives from the Halo video game series, which is a Microsoft franchise exclusive to Xbox and Windows. Cortana's features include being able to set reminders, recognize natural voice without the user having to input a predefined series of commands and answer questions using information from Bing (like current weather and traffic conditions, sports scores, and biographies).
Cortana also uses a special feature called a 'Notebook', where it will automatically gather information about and interests of the user based on usage and allow the user to input additional personal information, such as quiet hours and close friends who are allowed to get through to the user during these quiet hours. Users can also delete information from the 'Notebook' if they deem it undesirable for Cortana to know.[18]
Windows 8.1's universal Bing SmartSearch features are incorporated into Cortana, which replaces the previous Bing Search app which is activated when a user presses the 'Search' button on their device.[19]
This feature, which is currently in beta, was released in the United States in the first half of 2014 and in China, the United Kingdom, India, Canada and Australia in August 2014.[20]Microsoft has committed to updating Cortana twice a month and add features. The new features may include more 'easter egg' replies, improvements in UI and better voice modulations.[21]
Web[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 uses a mobile version of Internet Explorer 11 as the default web browser. IE11 carries over many of its desktop counterpart's improvements, which include support for WebGL, normal mapping, InPrivate mode, Reading mode, and the ability to swipe left or right to navigate to a previous webpage and back. The updated browser also includes a new HTML5 video web player with support for inline playback and closed captions,[22]Windows 8-style website live tiles, and the ability to save passwords. Furthermore, users can now open an unlimited number of tabs, instead of the previous maximum of 6.[23]
If a user is logged in with their Microsoft account on both their Windows 8.1 device and Windows Phone, their tabs on IE11 will now sync automatically.
Apps and Windows Phone Store[edit]
App framework[edit]
Apps for Windows Phone 8.1 can now be created using the same application model as Windows Store apps for Windows 8.1, based on the Windows Runtime, and the file extension for WP apps is now '.appx' (which is used for Windows Store apps), instead of Windows Phone's traditional '.xap' file format. Applications built for WP8.1 can invoke semantic zoom, as well as access to single sign-on with a Microsoft account. The Windows Phone Store now also updates apps automatically.[24] The store can be manually checked for updates available for applications on a device. It also adds the option to update applications when on Wi-Fi only.
App developers will be able to develop apps using C# / Visual Basic.NET (.NET), C++ (CX) or HTML5/JavaScript, like for Windows 8.
Developers will also be able to build 'universal apps' for both Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8 that share almost all code, except for that specific to the platform, such as user interface and phone APIs.[25]
Any universal apps that have been installed on Windows 8.1 will automatically appear in the user's 'My Apps' section on Windows Phone 8.1.
Apps built for Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7 automatically run on Windows Phone 8.1, but apps built for Windows Phone 8.1 will not run on any previous version of Windows Phone.[19]
Windows Phone Store[edit]
The Windows Phone Store was redesigned in Windows Phone 8.1 to become more information-dense. App collections, which were previously visible in a different page, are now fully featured on the front column of the Store. There is also no more distinction between Games and other apps; both now show up in the app list, although categories for apps and games (such as 'most popular games' or 'most popular apps') are still separated. App ratings have been designed to match those of Windows 8.1, with horizontal bars added to indicate how many 5-star, 4-star, or 3-star reviews an app has received. App screenshots now no longer have their own page, but can instead can be viewed at the bottom of the app description page. Furthermore, the Windows Phone Store now includes a 'My Apps' section under the three-dot menu which allows users to re-install any app they have purchased previously.[26]
New and revamped apps[edit]
Battery Saver adds the ability to track battery usage and determine profiles that will lower power consumption. In addition, the 'Background Tasks' page, which allows a user to stop or allow an individual app from running in the background, has been moved from the Settings menu to Battery Saver. In addition to just being able to stop a background task from running, users can now set profiles which will prevent certain apps from running only if the battery level is below a designated percentage.[27]
Storage Sense lets users move files and apps between their phone's hard drive and a microSD card, and incorporates features previously available in the 'Settings' section that gave users the ability to delete temporary files to free up storage and uninstall applications.
Wi-Fi Sense automatically signs in Windows Phones to trusted available Wi-Fi hotspots. It also helps to share your own Wi-Fi credentials with your friends and contacts, but without the security compromise i.e. it only shares the WiFi connection without telling your friends the password.[28]
Calendar app now has a week view with current weather, similar to the features in the Microsoft Outlook calendar available to desktop users. The calendar further adds support for syncing Google Calendars with your Windows Phone.[29]
Maps has been overhauled with support for aerial-view, 3D mapping and a dynamic compass. Local Scout, which has been removed from Windows Phone 8.1 in the United States due to the implementation of Cortana, has been moved to Maps. The map also shows nearby WiFi-hotspots, if any available, in your location.[30]
Calling and Skype[edit]
The Dialer app adds a 'Speed Dial' page, and calls from a single caller in Call History are now grouped. Clicking on the group will reveal individual call details such as the time and date the call was made. A button has been added next to each caller which allows unidentified callers to be added to a user's contact list or brings up information on an existing contact.[31]
Users can now automatically upgrade existing phone calls to Skype video calls from within the phone call UI, which has also been revamped with larger buttons. In addition to a large photo of the contact, text with the user's name and phone number now appear at the top of the screen instead of directly above the dialer. Skype calls can also be directly initiated from Cortana.[32]
Multimedia[edit]
Xbox Music and Xbox Video provide streaming services for movies, music, and TV shows, and are separated as opposed to being joined together in previous versions. Notably, Xbox Video now has built-in support for video streaming.[24] In addition to separating its music and video streaming services, 8.1 also adds support for separate volume controls, audio and video transcoding, hardware acceleration, stereoscopic 3D, and the ability for apps to capture and record video independently of the operating system's built-in video recorder. Furthermore, built-in support for streaming through DLNA to monitors and television screens, referred to by Microsoft as PlayTo,[33] is also included, as well as the ability to mirror display from a phone to a separate screen. Media editing tools have also been refined: apps for slow motion video capture, video effects, and audio effects have been added. Microsoft currently provides bi-weekly updates i.e. twice a month, to both of these apps. In August 2014, A2DP and AVRCP support was also added.[34]
The stock camera app has been updated with a more minimalist design similar to that of the camera app on Windows 8.1.[24] Additionally, users can now save high-resolution photos directly to OneDrive, instead of only having the option to upload the 5MP version of the image to the cloud.[35]
Multitasking[edit]
Building on improvements made in the third update to its predecessor, Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for closing apps by swiping down on them in the multitasking view (invoked by doing a long-press on the 'back' button), which is similar to how multitasking operates on Windows 8 and iOS. Pressing the back button now suspends an app in the multitasking view instead of closing it.[36]
Live tiles[edit]
A third column of live tiles, which was previously available only to Windows Phones with 1080p and select phones with 720p screens, is now an option for all Windows Phone 8.1 devices regardless of screen size. Microsoft has also added the ability for users to skin live tiles with a background image.[32]
With the inclusion of Update 1, WP8.1 now lets users drag app tiles on top of each other to create folders of apps on the Start Screen. Each individual app within the folder can still appear as a Live Tile, and opening the folder simply expands it on the Start Screen so the user can rearrange and open apps.[17]
Social[edit]
The 'Me' hub in Windows Phone 8.1 has been transformed from a single hub to update and maintain all social media accounts to a single hub to a viewer which allows users to view news feeds from social networks. When users click on a Facebook post, for example, they are instantly redirected to the Facebook app, instead of being allowed to like or comment on that post in the 'Me' hub itself, a feature available in previous versions of Windows Phone. The Me hub's notification center for social networks has also been removed, as this feature is now integrated into Windows Phone 8.1's Action Center.[37] Supported social networks in the 'Me' hub include Facebook, Foursquare, Linkedin, and Twitter, which has also been fully integrated into the Contacts Hub.[19]
'Threads,' which allowed users to seamlessly switch between different chat services, have also been removed from the Messaging app, which is now solely for text messages. Other changes to the messaging app include the ability to select multiple text messages for forwarding or deletion.[17]
Lockscreen[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 adds the ability for OEMs and individual apps to customize their custom lock screen themes even further by skinning the font and orientation of time, date, and notification text.[32]
Notifications and settings[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1's Action Center
A new notifications center known as 'Action Center' has been added, and allows for the ability to change simple settings such as volume controls. The new notifications area's design allows the user to for example change wireless networks, turn Bluetooth and Airplane Mode on or off, and access 'Driving Mode' from four customisable boxes at the top of the screen, while beneath these four horizontally placed boxes include recent text messages and social integration.[38][39][40]
Apps can also send users location-specific notifications with the addition of a new geofencing API.[19]
Keyboard[edit]
Microsoft has added a Word Flow keyboard in Windows Phone 8.1 that, similarly to the Swype keyboard option available on Android devices, allows users to swipe through letters to type. As the user swipes, the keyboard generates space automatically for the next word to be entered.[32]
The keyboard was touted for its speed and accuracy, and brought fame to Microsoft's research division when fifteen-year-old Lakeside School student Gaurav Sharma, using a Nokia Lumia 520 equipped with Windows Phone 8.1 and the 'Word Flow' keyboard, broke the Guinness World Record for the world's fastest typing on a mobile phone, which was previously held by a Samsung Galaxy S4 user, by 8 seconds.[41][42] This record was short-lived, which was subsequently beaten a month later by Marcel Fernandes, who finished a quarter of a second faster using the Fleksy Keyboard, a competing keyboard available on iOS and Android.[43] However, as Flesky relies on predictive text algorithms rather than swiping gestures, it is fair to say that 'Word Flow' remains the world's fastest 'swipe' keyboard on a mobile phone.
File system[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 allows apps to view all files stored on a WP device and move, copy, paste and share the contents of a device's internal file system. As a result of this change, multiple file explorer apps have been released on the Windows Phone Store since the operating system's debut. Microsoft released its own file explorer app on May 30, 2014.[44]
In addition to these changes, SkyDrive has been completely rebranded to OneDrive across the operating system after Microsoft's settlement of a dispute over the 'Sky' trademark with BSkyB. Users are also presented with multiple options when a Windows Phone 8.1 device is connected to a computer via USB.
Enterprise improvements[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 adds support for VPN and Bluetooth 4.0 LE.[24] With the release of Update 1, receiving or sending data through VPN when connecting to a Wi-Fi network and the Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network) 1.0 standard are also supported.
Apps Corner is a kiosk mode that allows users to restrict usage to a select group of applications and boot straight into a specific app.[17]
Hardware[edit]
Devices[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 devices are currently manufactured by Microsoft Mobile (formerly Nokia) and its hardware partners, including HTC, Gionee, JSR, Karbonn, Micromax, Samsung, Alcatel,[45]Lava (under both the Lava and Xolo brands), and Blu.[46][47] Additionally, Gionee, JSR, LG, Lenovo, Longcheer, and ZTE have registered as Windows Phone hardware partners, but have yet to release Windows Phone products. Sony (under the Xperia or Vaio brand) has also stated its intention to produce Windows Phone devices in the near future, but this has not materialized.[48] During BUILD 2014, Microsoft announced two additional hardware partners - Micromax and Prestigio.[49]
Hardware requirements[edit]
Starting with Windows Phone 8.1, several hardware buttons that were previously required on Windows Phone are no longer a requirement for device manufacturers, a move that was made in order to allow OEMs to develop devices that can run both WP and Android; the HTC One (M8) for Windows is an example of such a device.
WP now supports on-screen buttons that OEMs can use to replace the capacitive 'back, 'Windows', and 'search' buttons that have been required for devices running the OS since 2010. The new on-screen buttons can be hidden by swiping them to the side of the screen.[50]
Windows Phone device manufacturers are also no longer required to include a physical camera button on the side of the phone.
Windows Phone 8.1 minimum device requirements |
---|
QualcommSnapdragon S4, Snapdragon 200, Snapdragon 400, or Snapdragon 800 multi-core processor[51] |
Minimum 512 MBRAM for WVGA phones; minimum 1 GB RAM for 720p / WXGA / 1080p |
Minimum 4 GB flash memory |
GPS and A-GNSS; GLONASS is supported if OEMs decide to include it |
Support for micro-USB 2.0 |
3.5 mm stereo headphone jack with three-button detection support |
Rear-facing AF camera with optional LED or Xenon flash, optional front-facing camera (both need to be VGA or better) |
Accelerometer, proximity sensors, as well as vibration motor (magnetometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensors are optional) |
802.11b/g and Bluetooth (802.11n is optional) |
DirectX graphics hardware support with hardware acceleration for Direct3D using programmable GPU |
Multi-touch capacitive touch screen with minimum of four simultaneous points |
Version history[edit]
Reception[edit]
Tom Warren of The Verge said that it is clear that the Windows Phone OS is being left behind by its competitors. Although the Windows Phone store has many apps, there are still less than the Android and iOS stores, and the Windows Phone apps equivalents are severely lacking. However, he commends Windows Phone for its ability to run smoothly across a wide variety of hardware and the thoughtful addition of features.[52]
References[edit]
- ^http://www.windowscentral.com/lumia-930-users-can-grab-windows-phone-81-update-2-windows-insider-app
- ^Jo Foley, Mary (June 20, 2012). 'Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 finally gets a 'real' Windows core'. ZDNet. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- ^'Microsoft Support Lifecycle: Windows Phone 8.1'. Microsoft Support. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ ab'Windows Phone 8.1 now available to developers'. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ abcWindows Phone 8.1 – Microsoft quietly sends invites for confidential SDK Dev Preview program | Windows Phone Central
- ^Microsoft announces Windows Phone 8.1 with Cortana, coming in April
- ^Windows Phone 8.0 is upgradeable, Microsoft says - Computerworld
- ^'Are all Windows Phone 8 handsets upgradeable to WP 8.1? Microsoft exec seems to say yes'. January 10, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
- ^'All current WP8 devices are eligible for the update'. April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^'Track Windows Phone 8.1+Lumia Cyan rollout here!'. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^Microsoft breaks its Windows 10 Mobile upgrade promise | The Verge
- ^Microsoft says 'next release' of Windows Phone is on target for the holidays | The Verge
- ^Microsoft details new Windows Phone 8 update, but real fixes won't come until 2014 | The Verge
- ^Complete Guide to Windows Phone 8 GDR2 | Windows Phone content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows
- ^Microsoft Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update detailed | Pocketnow
- ^'Get the Windows Phone Developer Preview'. dev.windows.com. Microsoft. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
- ^ abcd'WPCentral'Developers leak new features included in Windows Phone 8.1 SDK | Windows Phone Central
- ^Jeffries, Adrianne (March 3, 2014). 'This is Cortana, Microsoft's answer to Siri'. The Verge. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ abcdDevelopers leak new features included in Windows Phone 8.1 SDK | Windows Phone Central
- ^Rubino, Daniel (July 30, 2014). 'Microsoft announces Cortana for China, UK with 'alpha' status for India, Australia, and Canada | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^'Microsoft to add updates to Cortana twice a month'. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
- ^Windows Phone 8.1 features leaked by developer | Microsoft - CNET News
- ^Sabri, Sam (April 14, 2014). 'Check out these 8 new kickass features in IE11 on Windows Phone 8.1 | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ abcdWindows Phone 8.1 includes universal apps and lots of feature updates | The Verge
- ^Leaked images show Universal Store of apps for Windows and Windows Phone. WinBeta.org. 2014-02-13
- ^Ponder, George (April 17, 2014). 'Re-installing apps and games with Windows Phone 8.1 is now easier, here's how | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^Rubino, Daniel (April 16, 2014). 'Background tasks removed in Windows Phone 8.1? Nope, but they have changed | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^'All you need to know about Wi-Fi Sense on Windows Phone 8.1'. April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ^'Google Calendar now works with Windows Phone 8.1'. February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^'Here's how to use Microsoft's new 3-D Maps and Aerial view in Windows Phone 8.1'. April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
- ^Ponder, George (April 16, 2014). 'Windows Phone 8.1 finally gets speed dial, call history and more | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ abcd'Windows Phone 8.1: Top eight new features | NDTV Gadgets'. Gadgets.ndtv.com. April 3, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^Windows Phone 8.1: The latest on what's on the leaked feature list | ZDNet
- ^Rubino, Daniel (July 30, 2014). 'Microsoft reveals Update 1 for Windows Phone 8.1, due next week for Preview users | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^Rubino, Daniel (May 16, 2014). 'Windows Phone 8.1 will now backup your High Resolution Lumia photos to OneDrive | Windows Phone Central'. Wpcentral.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^Windows Phone 8.1 features leaked by developers - News - Trusted Reviews
- ^Strav, Jim. 'Windows Phone 8′s Me Tile And Messaging Functionality Has Been Changed In Windows Phone 8.1'. WMPoweruser. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^First screenshots of the Notification Center for Windows Phone 8.1 reveal new design | Windows Phone Central
- ^With 8.1 update and Action Center, Windows Phone users will finally have a notifications hub - Tech2
- ^Gorman, Michael (February 19, 2014). 'Here's Windows Phone 8.1's notification center in action (video)'. Engadget.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^'The best Windows Phone 8.1 features: Cortana, Word Flow, Wi-Fi Sense and more - Tech2'. Tech.firstpost.com. May 7, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/wordflow-040414.aspx
- ^'Fleksy Keyboard wins Guiness (sic) World Record for fastest texting'. Phonearena.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^'Windows Phone 8.1 gets official file manager'. May 30, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
- ^'Alcatel introduces first WINDOWS Phone device, 64 Quad-Core processor'. WinBeta. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ^'Windows Phone powered BLU Win Jr and Win HD unboxed on video and they look gorgeous'. WinBeta. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- ^Molen, Brad (February 23, 2014). 'Microsoft announces new Windows Phone hardware partners, including LG and Lenovo'. Engadget.com. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^'The new Windows Phone 8 manufacturer... that you've probably never heard of'. Neowin. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- ^'Micromax to launch Windows Phone 8.1 devices soon, Microsoft announces..Nokia Lumia 630 launched with windows 8.1 with quad core processor'.
- ^Windows Phone 8.1 SDK reveals universal cross-platform apps, on-screen buttons, more | ExtremeTech
- ^Strav, Jim. 'Windows Phone 8.1 processor support revealed'. WMPoweruser. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^I've given up on Windows Phone
External links[edit]
- Official website (Archive)
- Windows Phone 8.1 at Curlie
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windows_Phone_8.1&oldid=914253206'
An example of a custom Start Screen on Windows Phone 8.1 | |
Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
---|---|
Written in | C, C++[1] |
OS family | Microsoft Windows |
Working state | Discontinued[2] |
Source model | Closed-source |
Initial release | NA: November 8, 2010; 8 years ago PAL: October 21, 2010 |
Final release | 8.1 Update 2 (8.10.15148.160)[3] / June 2, 2015; 4 years ago |
Available in | 130 languages[4] |
Update method | Zune Software (Windows Phone 7), Firmware over the air (Windows Phone 8+) |
Package manager | Windows Phone Store[5] |
Platforms | Qualcomm Snapdragon (based on ARMv7) |
Kernel type | Hybrid (Monolithic in Windows Phone 7) |
License | |
Preceded by | Windows Mobile, Zune, Kin |
Succeeded by | Windows 10 Mobile |
Official website | Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index) |
Windows Phone (WP) is a family of discontinued[6]mobile operating systems developed by Microsoft for smartphones as the replacement successor to Windows Mobile[7][8] and Zune.[9] Windows Phone features a new user interface derived from Metro design language. Unlike Windows Mobile, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market.[10] It was first launched in October 2010 with Windows Phone 7.[11]Windows Phone 8.1 is the latest public release of the operating system, released to manufacturing on April 14, 2014.[12][13]
Windows Phone was succeeded by Windows 10 Mobile in 2015; it emphasizes a larger amount of integration and unification with its PC counterpart—including a new, unified application ecosystem, along with an expansion of its scope to include small-screened tablets.[14]
On October 8, 2017, Joe Belfiore announced that work on Windows 10 Mobile was drawing to a close due to lack of market penetration and resultant lack of interest from app developers.[6]
In January 2019, Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 Mobile would end on December 10, 2019, and that Windows 10 Mobile users should migrate to iOS or Android phones.[15]
- 1History
- 2Versions
- 3Features
- 3.6Multimedia
- 3.8Search
- 3.11Sync
- 4Store
- 4.2Applications and games
- 6Reception
- 6.2Market share
History[edit]
Development[edit]
Work on a major Windows Mobile update may have begun as early as 2004 under the codename 'Photon', but work moved slowly and the project was ultimately cancelled.[16] In 2008, Microsoft reorganized the Windows Mobile group and started work on a new mobile operating system.[17] The product was to be released in 2009 as Windows Phone, but several delays prompted Microsoft to develop Windows Mobile 6.5 as an interim release.[18]
Windows Phone was developed quickly. One result was that the new OS would not be compatible with Windows Mobile applications. Larry Lieberman, senior product manager for Microsoft's Mobile Developer Experience, told eWeek: 'If we'd had more time and resources, we may have been able to do something in terms of backward compatibility.'[19] Lieberman said that Microsoft was attempting to look at the mobile phone market in a new way, with the end user in mind as well as the enterprise network.[19]Terry Myerson, corporate VP of Windows Phone engineering, said, 'With the move to capacitive touch screens, away from the stylus, and the moves to some of the hardware choices we made for the Windows Phone 7 experience, we had to break application compatibility with Windows Mobile 6.5.'[20]
The latest version of Windows Phone, Windows Phone 8.1, entered End of Support Status on July 11, 2017; Meaning it will not get any system updates, neither features nor security updates, unless user upgrades to Windows 10 Mobile, which -the upgrade- was entitled to selected models of devices running Windows Phone like Microsoft Lumia 640 and Lumia 950. Windows 10 Mobile was announced, [21] on October 8 2017, that it no longer receive system features updates, but it would continue to receive security updates.
Partnership with Nokia[edit]
On February 11, 2011, at a press event in London, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Nokia CEO Stephen Elop announced a partnership between their companies in which Windows Phone would become the primary smartphone operating-system for Nokia, replacing Symbian.[22] The event focused largely on setting up 'a new global mobile ecosystem', suggesting competition with Android and iOS with the words 'It is now a three horse race'. Elop stated the reason for choosing Windows Phone over Android, saying: 'the single most important word is 'differentiation'. Entering the Android environment late, we knew we would have a hard time differentiating.'[23] While Nokia would have had more long-term creative control with Android (note that MeeGo as used by Nokia resembles Android more than it does Windows Phone 7 as both Android and MeeGo are based on the Linux kernel), Elop enjoyed familiarity with his past company where he had been a top executive.[24][25]
The pair announced integration of Microsoft services with Nokia's own services; specifically:[22]
- Bing would power search across Nokia devices
- integration of Nokia Maps with Bing Maps
- integration of Nokia's Ovi store with the Windows Phone Store
The partnership involves 'funds changing hands for royalties, marketing and ad-revenue sharing', which Microsoft later announced as 'measured in billions of dollars.'[26]Jo Harlow, whom Elop tapped to run Nokia's smartphone business, rearranged her team to match the structure led by Microsoft's VP of Windows Phone, Terry Myerson. Myerson was quoted as saying, 'I can trust her with what she tells me. She uses that same direct and genuine communication to motivate her team.'[27]
The first Nokia Lumia Windows Phones, the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710, were announced in October 2011 at Nokia World 2011.[28][29]
At the Consumer Electronics Show in 2012 Nokia announced the Lumia 900, featuring a 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display, a 1.4 GHz processor and 16 GB of storage.[30] The Lumia 900 was one of the first Windows Phones to support LTE and was released on AT&T on April 8.[31] An international version launched in Q2 2012, with a UK launch in May 2012.[32] The Lumia 610 was the first Nokia Windows Phone to run the Tango Variant (Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh) and was aimed at emerging markets.
On September 2, 2013, Microsoft announced a deal to acquire Nokia's mobile phone division outright, retaining former CEO Stephen Elop as the head of Microsoft's devices operation.[33][34] Microsoft managers revealed that the acquisition was made because Nokia was driving the development of the Windows Phone platform to better match their products.[35] The merger was completed after regulatory approval in all major markets in April 2014. As a result, Nokia's hardware division became a subsidiary of Microsoft operating under the name Microsoft Mobile.
In February 2014, Nokia released the Nokia X series of smartphones, (later discontinued) using a version of Android forked from the Android Open Source Project. The operating system was modified; Google's software was not included in favour of competing applications and services from Microsoft and Nokia, with a user interface is highly modified to resemble Windows Phone.[36]
Versions[edit]
Windows Phone 7[edit]
Windows Phone 7.5 logo
Windows Phone 7 was announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, on February 15, 2010, and released publicly on November 8, 2010 in the United States.
In 2011, Microsoft released Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. The update included a mobile version of Internet Explorer 9 that supports the same web standards and graphical capability as the desktop version, multi-tasking of third-party apps,[37][38] Twitter integration for the People Hub,[39][40][41] and Windows Live SkyDrive access.[42] A minor update released in 2012 known as 'Tango', along with other bug fixes, lowered the hardware requirements to allow for devices with 800 MHz CPUs and 256 MB of RAM to run Windows Phone.[43]
Since Windows Phone 7 devices could not be upgraded to Windows Phone 8 due to hardware limitations,[44] Windows Phone 7.8 was released as a stopgap update in 2013 to include some of the features from Windows Phone 8. The update included a tweaked start screen, additional color schemes, and more wallpaper options.
Windows Phone 8[edit]
Windows Phone 8 logo
On October 29, 2012, Microsoft released Windows Phone 8, a new generation of the operating system. Windows Phone 8 replaced its previously Windows CE-based architecture with one based on the Windows NT kernel with many components shared with Windows 8, allowing applications to be ported between the two platforms.
Windows Phone 8.1[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 logo
Windows Phone 8.1 was announced on April 2, 2014, after being released in preview form to developers on April 10, 2014.[45][46][47] New features added include a notification center, support for the Internet Explorer 11 web browser, with tab syncing among Windows 8.1 devices, separate volume controls, and the option to skin and add a third column of live tiles to the Start Screen. Starting with this release, Microsoft dropped the requirement that all Windows Phone OEMs include a camera button and physical buttons for back, Start, and Search.
Windows Phone 8.1 introduced Cortana, a voice assistant similar to Siri and Google Now. Cortana replaced the previous Bing search feature, and was released as a beta in the United States in the first half of 2014, before expanding to other countries in early 2015.[48]
Windows 10 Mobile[edit]
Windows 10 logo
Windows 10 Mobile was announced on January 21, 2015, as a mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets running on ARM architecture. Its primary focus is unification with Windows 10, its PC counterpart, in software and services; in accordance with this strategy, the Windows Phone name has been phased out in favor of branding the platform as an edition of Windows 10,[49][50][51][52] although it is still a continuation of Windows Phone, and most Windows Phone 8.1 devices can be upgraded to the platform.[53][54][55]
Windows 10 Mobile emphasized software using the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), which allowed apps to be designed for use across multiple Windows 10-based product families with nearly identical code, functionality, and adaptations for available input methods.[56][57][58] When connected to an external display, devices could also render a stripped-down desktop interface similar to Windows on PCs, with support for keyboard and mouse input.[59][60] Windows 10 Mobile featured Skype message integration, updated Office Mobile apps, notification syncing with other Windows 10 devices, support for the Microsoft Edge web browser, and other user interface improvements.[50][61][62] Microsoft developed a middleware known as Windows Bridge to allow iOSObjective-C and AndroidC++ or Java software to be ported to run on Windows 10 Mobile with limited changes to code.[63][64][65]
Features[edit]
User interface[edit]
Windows Phone features a user interface based on Microsoft's 'Metro' design language,[66] and was inspired by the user interface in the Zune HD.[67] The home screen, called the 'Start screen', is made up of 'Live Tiles', which have been the inspiration for the Windows 8 live tiles. Tiles are links to applications, features, functions and individual items (such as contacts, web pages, applications or media items). Users can add, rearrange, or remove tiles.[68] Tiles are dynamic and update in real time – for example, the tile for an email account would display the number of unread messages or a tile could display a live update of the weather.[69] Since Windows Phone 8, live tiles can also be resized to either a small, medium, or large appearance.
Several features of Windows Phone are organized into 'hubs', which combine local and online content via Windows Phone's integration with popular social networks such as Facebook, Windows Live, and Twitter.[69] For example, the Pictures hub shows photos captured with the device's camera and the user's Facebook photo albums, and the People hub shows contacts aggregated from multiple sources including Windows Live, Facebook, and Gmail. From the hub, users can directly comment and 'like' on social network updates. The other built-in hubs are Xbox Music and Video, Xbox Live Games, Windows Phone Store, and Microsoft Office.[69]
Windows Phone uses multi-touch technology.[69] The default Windows Phone user interface has a dark theme that prolongs battery life on OLED screens as fully black pixels do not emit light. Alternatively, users may choose a light theme in their phone's settings menu.[70] The user may also choose from several accent colors.[71] User interface elements such as links, buttons and tiles are shown in the user's chosen accent color. Third-party applications can be automatically themed with these colors.[72]Windows Phone 8.1 introduces transparent tiles and a customizable background image for the Start screen. The image is visible through the transparent area of the tiles and features a parallax effect when scrolling which gives an illusion of depth. If the user does not pick a background image the tiles render with the accent color of the theme.
Text input[edit]
Users input text by using an on-screen virtual keyboard, which has a dedicated key for inserting emoticons,[73] and features spell checking[73] and word prediction.[74] App developers (both inhouse and ISV) may specify different versions of the virtual keyboard in order to limit users to certain character sets, such as numeric characters alone. Users may change a word after it has been typed by tapping the word,[75] which will invoke a list of similar words. Pressing and holding certain keys will reveal similar characters. The keys are somewhat larger and spaced farther apart when in landscape mode. Phones may also be made with a hardware keyboard for text input.[76] Users can also add accents to letters by holding on an individual letter. Windows Phone 8.1 introduces a new method of typing by swiping through the keyboard without lifting the finger, in a manner similar to Swype and SwiftKey.
Web browser[edit]
Internet Explorer on Windows Phone allows the user to maintain a list of favorite web pages and tiles linking to web pages on the Start screen. The browser supports up to 6 tabs, which can all load in parallel.[77] Other features include multi-touch gestures, smooth zoom in/out animations, the ability to save pictures that are on web pages, share web pages via email, and support for inline search which allows the user to search for a word or phrase in a web page by typing it.[78] Tabs are synced with Windows 8.1 devices using Internet Explorer 11.
Contacts[edit]
Contacts are organized via the 'People hub', and can be manually entered into contacts or imported from Facebook, Windows Live Contacts, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, and Outlook. A 'What's New' section shows a user's Facebook news feed and a 'Pictures' section show pictures from those social networks, while a 'Me' section within the 'People' hub shows a user's own social network status and wall and allows them to view social network updates. Contacts can also be pinned to the Start Screen. The contact's 'Live Tile' displays their social network status and profile picture on the homescreen. Clicking on a contact's tile or accessing their card within the 'People' hub will reveal their recent social network activity as well as the rest of their contact information.
If a contact has information stored on multiple networks, users can link the two separate contact accounts, allowing the information to be viewed and accessed from a single card.[79] As of Windows Phone 7.5, contacts can also be sorted into 'Groups'. Here, information from each of the contacts is combined into a single page which can be accessed directly from the Hub or pinned to the Start screen.
Email[edit]
Windows Phone supports Outlook.com, Exchange, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail natively and supports many other services via the POP and IMAP protocols. Updates added support for more services such as iCloud and IBM Notes Traveler. Contacts and calendars may be synced from these services as well. Users can also search through their email by searching in the subject, body, senders, and receivers. Emails are shown with threads, and multiple email inboxes can be combined into a single view (a feature commonly referred to as 'combined inbox') or can viewed separately.
Multimedia[edit]
The Music + Video Hub on Windows Phone.
Xbox Music and Xbox Video are built-in multimedia hubs providing entertainment and synchronization capabilities between PC, Windows Phone, and other Microsoft products.[80] The two hubs were previously combined until standalone apps were released in late 2013, shortly before Windows Phone 8.1 debuted.[81] The hubs allow users to access music, videos, and podcasts stored on the device, and links directly to the 'Xbox Music Store' to buy or rent music and the 'Xbox Video Store' to purchase movies and TV episodes. Xbox Music also allows the user to stream music with an Xbox Music Pass. When browsing the music by a particular artist, users are able to view artist biographies and photos.[73] The Xbox Music hub also integrates with many other apps that provide video and music services, including, but not limited to, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Vevo. This hub also includes Smart DJ which compiles a playlist of songs stored on the phone similar to the song or artist selected.
The Pictures hub displays the user's Facebook and OneDrive photo albums, as well as photos taken with the phone's built-in camera. Users can also upload photos to social networks, comment on photos uploaded by other people, and tag photos posted to social networks.[73] Multi-touch gestures permit zooming in and out of photos.
An official file manager app called Files, which is available for download from the Windows Phone Store, enables users to move and rearrange documents, videos, music and other files within their device's hard drive or to an external SD card.[82]
Media support[edit]
Windows Phone supports WAV, MP3, WMA, AMR, AAC/MP4/M4A/M4B and 3GP/3G2 standards. The video file formats supported on WP include WMV, AVI, MP4/M4V, 3GP/3G2 and MOV (QuickTime) standards.[83] These supported audio and video formats would be dependent on the codecs contained inside them. It has also been previously reported that the DivX and Xvid codecs within the AVI file format are also playable on WP devices.[84][85]
Note that Windows Phone does not support DRM protected media files that are obtained from services other than Xbox Music Pass.[86]
The image file formats that are supported include JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIF and Bitmap (BMP).[87][88]
Users can also add custom ringtones which are less than 1MB in size and less than 40 seconds long. DLNA streaming and steroscopic 3D are also supported.[81]
Games[edit]
The 'Games hub' provides access to games on a phone along with Xbox Live functionality, including the ability for a user to interact with their avatar, view and edit their profile, see their achievements and view leaderboards, and send messages to friends on Xbox Live. The hub also features an area for managing invitations and turn notifications in turn-based multiplayer games.[89] Games are downloaded from Windows Phone Store.
Search[edit]
Bing is the default search engine on Windows Phone handsets because its functions are deeply integrated in the OS (which also include the utilization of its map service for location-based searches and queries). However, Microsoft has stated that other search engine applications can be used.[90][91]
In the area of location-based searches, Bing Maps (which is powered by Nokia's location services) provides turn-by-turn navigation service to Windows Phone users, and Local Scout shows interest points such as attractions and restaurants in the nearby area. On Nokia devices, Nokia's Here Maps is preinstalled in place of Bing Maps.
Furthermore, Bing Audio allows the user to match a song with its name, and Bing Vision allows the user to scan barcodes, QR codes, and other types of tags.
Cortana[edit]
Every Windows Phone has either a dedicated physical Search button or an on-screen Search button, which was previously reserved for a Bing Search app, but has been replaced on Windows Phone 8.1 devices in the United Kingdom and United States by Cortana, a digital personal assistant which can also double as an app for basic searches.
Cortana allows users to do tasks such as set calendar reminders and alarms, and recognizes a user's natural voice, and can be used to answer questions (like current weather conditions, sports scores, and biographies). The app also keeps a 'Notebook' to learn a user's behavior over time and tailor reminders for them. Users can edit the 'Notebook' to keep information from Cortana or reveal more about themselves.
Office suite[edit]
Microsoft Office Mobile on Windows Phone 8
All Windows Phones come preinstalled with Microsoft Office Mobile, which provides interoperability between Windows Phone and the desktop version of Microsoft Office. Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, and SharePoint Workspace Mobile apps are accessible through a single 'Office Hub,' and allow most Microsoft Office file formats to be viewed and edited directly on a Windows Phone device. The 'Office Hub' can access files from OneDrive and Office 365, as well as files which are stored locally on the device's hard drive. Although they are not preinstalled in Windows Phone's 'Office Hub,' OneNote Mobile, Lync Mobile, and OneDrive for Business can be downloaded separately as standalone applications from the Windows Phone Store.
Multitasking[edit]
Multitasking in Windows Phone is invoked through long pressing the 'back' arrow, which is present on all Windows Phones. Windows Phone 7 uses a card-based task switcher, whereas later versions of Windows Phone utilize true background multitasking.
Sync[edit]
Windows Phone 7[edit]
Zune Software manages the contents on Windows Phone 7 devices and Windows Phone can wirelessly sync with Zune Software.
Later versions[edit]
Syncing content between Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 and Windows PCs or Macs is provided through the Windows Phone App, which is available for both Windows and Mac OS X. It is the official successor to Zune software only for Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1, and allows users to transfer content such as music, videos, and documents.
Users also have the ability to use a 'Tap and Send' feature that allows for file transfer between Windows phones, and NFC-compatible devices through NFC.
Updates[edit]
A test notification of an 'update available' pop-up in the Windows Phone emulator.
Software updates are delivered to Windows Phone users via Microsoft Update, as is the case with other Windows operating systems.[92] Microsoft initially had the intention to directly update any phone running Windows Phone instead of relying on OEMs or wireless carriers,[93] but on January 6, 2012, Microsoft changed their policy to let carriers decide if an update will be delivered.[94]
While Windows Phone 7 users were required to attach their phones to a PC to install updates,[95] starting with Windows Phone 8, all updates are done via over-the-air downloads.[96] Since Windows Phone 8, Microsoft has also begun releasing minor updates that add features to a current OS release throughout the year.[97] These updates were first labeled 'General Distribution releases' (or GDRs), but were later rebranded simply as 'Updates'.
All third-party applications can be updated automatically from the Windows Phone Store.[98]
Advertising platform[edit]
Microsoft has also launched an advertising platform for the Windows Phone platform. Microsoft's General Manager for Strategy and Business Development, Kostas Mallios, said that Windows Phone will be an 'ad-serving machine', pushing advertising and brand-related content to the user. The platform will feature advertising tiles near applications and toast notifications, which will bring updating advertising notifications. Mallios said that Windows Phone will be able to 'preserve the brand experience by going directly from the web site right to the application', and that Windows Phone 'enables advertisers to connect with consumers over time'.[99] Mallios continued: 'you're now able to push information as an advertiser, and stay in touch with your customer. It's a dynamic relationship that is created and provides for an ongoing dialog with the consumer.'[100]
Bluetooth[edit]
Windows Phone supports the following Bluetooth profiles:[101]
- Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP 1.2)
- Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP 1.3)
- Hands Free Profile (HFP 1.5)
- Headset Profile (HSP 1.1)
- Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP 1.1)
- Bluetooth File Transfer (OBEX) (from Windows Phone 7.8)
Windows Phone BTF support is available from Windows Phone 7.8, but is limited to the transferring of pictures, music and videos via a 'Bluetooth Share' app.[102][103]
Feature additions[edit]
Microsoft keeps a site where people can submit and vote on features they would like to see added to Windows Phone.[104]
Store[edit]
The Windows Phone Store was used to digitally distribute music, video content, podcasts, and third party applications to Windows Phone handsets. The store was accessible using the Zune Software client or the Windows Phone Store hub on devices (though videos were not downloadable through the store hub and must be downloaded and synced through the Zune software).[105] The Store was managed by Microsoft, which included an approval process. As of March 2012, the Windows Phone Store was available in 54 countries.[106]
Music and videos[edit]
Xbox Music offered approximately 50 million songs up to 320 kbit/s in DRM-free MP3 format from the big four music groups (EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG and Universal Music Group), as well as smaller music labels. Xbox Video offered HD movies from Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers, and other studios and plus television shows from popular television networks.
Microsoft offered the Xbox Music Pass music subscription service, which allowed subscribers to download an unlimited number of songs for as long as their subscription was active and play them on current Microsoft devices.
Applications and games[edit]
Development[edit]
Third party applications and games for Windows Phone can be based on XNA, a Windows Phone-specific version of Silverlight, the GUI-based Windows Phone App Studio, or the Windows Runtime, which allows developers to develop an app for the both the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store simultaneously.[107][108][109] App developers can develop apps using C# / Visual Basic.NET (.NET), C++ (CX) or HTML5/JavaScript.
For Windows Phone apps to be designed and tested within Visual Studio or Visual Studio Express, Microsoft offers Windows Phone Developer Tools, which run only on Windows Vista SP2 and later, as an extension[110] Microsoft also offers Expression Blend for Windows Phone for free. On November 29, 2009, Microsoft announced the Release-to-web (RTW) version of its Visual Basic .NET Developer Tool, to aid development of Windows Phone apps in Visual Basic.
Later versions of Windows Phone support the running of managed code through a Common Language Runtime similar to that of the Windows operating system itself, as opposed to the .NET Compact Framework. This, along with support for native C and C++ libraries, allows some traditional Windows desktop programs to be easily ported to Windows Phone.[111]
Submission[edit]
Registered Windows Phone and Xbox Live developers can submit and manage their third party applications for the platforms through the App Hub web applications. The App Hub provides development tools and support for third-party application developers. The submitted applications undergo an approval process for verifications and validations to check if they qualify the applications standardization criteria set by Microsoft.[112] The cost of the applications that are approved is up to the developer, but Microsoft will take 20% of the revenue (the other 80% goes to the developer).[113] Microsoft will only pay developers once they reach a set sales figure, and will withhold 30% tax from non-US developers, unless they first register with the United States Government's Internal Revenue Service. Microsoft only pays developers from a list of thirty countries.[114] A yearly fee is also payable for developers wishing to submit apps.[115]
In order to get an application to appear in the Windows Phone Store, the application must be submitted to Microsoft for approval.[114] Microsoft has outlined the content that it will not allow in the applications, which includes content that, among other things, advocates discrimination or hate, promotes usage of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, or includes sexually suggestive material.[116]
Hardware[edit]
Windows Phone 7 devices were first produced by HTC, LG and Samsung. These hardware partners were later joined by Acer, Alcatel, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Nokia, and Chinese OEM ZTE.
Windows Phone 8 devices were being produced by HTC, Huawei, Nokia, and Samsung.
At the 2014 Mobile World Congress, Microsoft announced that upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 devices will be manufactured by Celkon, Gionee, HTC, Huawei, JSR, Karbonn, LG, Lenovo, Longcheer, Micromax, Microsoft Mobile, Samsung, Xolo, and ZTE among others.[117]Sony (under the Xperia or Vaio brand) has also stated its intention to produce Windows Phone devices in the near future.[118] Yezz announced two smartphones in May, and at Computex 2014 BYD, Compal, Pegatron, Quanta and Wistron were also named as new Windows Phone OEMs.[119]
In August 2014, Huawei said it was dropping support for Windows Phone due to low sales.[120]>
Reception[edit]
User interface[edit]
The reception to the Metro UI and overall interface of the OS has also been highly praised for its style,[citation needed] with ZDNet noting its originality and fresh clean look.[121] Engadget and ZDNet applauded the integration of Facebook into the People Hub as well as other built-in capabilities, such as Windows Live, etc. However, in version 8.1 the once tight Facebook and Twitter integration has been removed so that updates from those social media sites must be accessed via their respective apps.[122]
Market share[edit]
Windows Phone 7 (2010–2012)[edit]
According to Gartner, there were 1.6 million devices running Microsoft OS sold to customers in Q1 2011 worldwide.[123] 1.7 million smartphones using a Microsoft mobile OS were sold in Q2 2011, for a 1.6% market share.[124] In Q3 2011, Microsoft's worldwide market share dropped slightly to 1.5%.[125] In Q4 2011 market share increased to 1.9%,[126] and it stayed at 1.9% for Q1 2012.[127] Reports for Q2, Q3 and Q4 of year 2011 include both Windows Phone and small part of Windows Mobile marketshare under the same 'Microsoft mobile OS' banner, and do not make the distinction of separating the marketshare values of the two. According to Nielsen, Windows Phone had a 1.7% market share in Q1 2012,[128] and then dropped back to 1.3% in Q2 2012.[129]
Windows Phone 8 (2012–2015)[edit]
After the release of Windows Phone 8, Gartner reported that Windows Phone's marketshare jumped to 3% in Q4 2012, a 124% increase over the same time period in 2011.[130]
In mid-2012, IDC had suggested that Windows Phone might surpass the faltering BlackBerry platform and potentially even Apple iOS, because of Nokia dominance in emerging markets like Asia, Latin America, and Africa, as the iPhone was considered too expensive for most of these regions and BlackBerry OS possibly going to feature a similar fate as Symbian.[131][132] IDC's projections were partially correct, as in Q1 2013 Windows Phone shipments surpassed BlackBerry shipment volume for the first time.[133] IDC had to slash the Windows Phone predictions once again, to 7 percent of total market in 2018, because of the slow growth.[134]
As of the third quarter of 2013, Gartner reported that Windows Phone holds a worldwide market share of 3.6%, up 123% from the same period in 2012 and outpacing Android's rate of growth.[135] According to Kantar's October 2013 report, Windows Phone accounted for 10.2% of all smartphone sales in Europe and 4.8% of all sales in the United States.[136] Some analysts have attributed this spike in sales to both Windows Phone 8 and Nokia's successful push to market low and mid-range Windows Phones like the Lumia 520 and Lumia 620 to a younger audience.[137] Gartner reported that Windows Phone market share finished 2013 at 3.2%, which while down from the third quarter of 2013 was still a 46.7% improvement from the same period in 2012.[138]
IDC reported that Windows Phone market share, having peaked in 2013 at 3.4%, had dropped to 2.5% by the second quarter of 2014.[139]
In August 2017, the New York Police Department ordered AppleiPhone products to replace its deployment of 36,000 Lumia 830 and Lumia 640 XL Windows Phone devices, partly citing Microsoft's end of support for Windows Phone 8.1 and its minuscule market share.[140]
Developer interest[edit]
Microsoft's developer initiative programs and marketing have gained attention from application developers. As of Q3 2013, an average of 21% of mobile developers use the Windows Phone platform, with another 35% stating they are interested in adopting it.[141] Some reports have indicated that developers may be less interested in developing for Windows Phone because of lower ad revenue when compared to competing platforms.[142] The main criticism of Windows Phone is still the lack of applications when compared to iOS and Android.[143][144][145][146] Developers are backing out of the platform and retiring apps because of the low market share.[147][148]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1
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Windows Phone 8.1 Iso Download
External links[edit]
Windows Phone 8.1 Store
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Windows Phone. |
Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1
- Official website (Archive)
- Windows Phone at Curlie
Windows Phone 8.1 Secret Codes
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windows_Phone&oldid=919351782'