Lumia Denim Update



The 2014 was an amazing year for Gadget and Technology Lovers. Last year, many big brands like Apple, Samsung, Motorola, LG, Sony, HTC and Microsoft not only showcased their devices but also shared their prospective plans. The year will not only be remembered for some outstanding devices but also for the updates. Yes, I’m talking about the System updates.
The search-giant, Google pushed the Android version to 5.0 (Lollipop), Apple launched the iOS 8 and Microsoft started rolling out the Windows Phone 8.1 (GDR1), popularly known as Lumia Denim Update. 

                                                     
extras+info
What’s New?
Microsoft has added tons of new features including Cortana Alpha, Live Folders and much more with the update. Let’s check out the complete changelog of the much anticipated Lumia Denim update:
  • Mobile Data Toggle: This is one of the most anticipated features on the list (at least for me). Though, I was expecting this with the Lumia Cyan update but it’s never too late Microsoft!
  • Cortana Alpha: Finally, the Cortana has made it to more regions like India, France, Spain, Italy and Germany with the Lumia Denim.
  • Live Folders: You can now create new folders by simply dragging and dropping the app icons over the other.
  • Internet Sharing over Bluetooth: Yes, you heard it right! You can now share your mobile data over the Bluetooth.

Mobile Data Toggle
  • Improved Quick Action: Now you can also add settings like Battery saver, location, quiet hours, etc., as quick action settings.
  •   Quiet Hours: This feature will help you to allow only important calls if you are busy. It will block all other calls except for the contacts added to your “inner circle”.
  •   Apps Corner: Apps corner will allow you to customize your homescreen for others. You can hide the apps which you don’t want others to see.
  • “Hey Cortana” voice activation: You can also activate Cortana by simply saying “Hey Cortana”. Though, this feature sounds similar to Google’s “Ok Google”, but it is restricted to some high end devices.

  • Improved Glance Screen: The Glance Screen now also supports apps like Bing Weather, Bing Health & Fitness app. This feature is also restricted to the devices which support Glance screen.
  • Schedule Update: The Lumia Denim update added a new feature to the “phone update” setting, with the help of which you can now schedule the installation time for the downloaded update.
  •   Improved Messaging and Contacts settings: The update made it easier to manage the messages and contacts. You can now delete multiple messages and contacts at once.
    Live Folders
  •   Music and Videos separated: The “Music+Videos” tile is no longer available after update. Instead, the Music, Videos, FM Radio and Podcasts are now available individually.
  • Bluetooth aptX enabled: After updating to Lumia Denim, you can enjoy high-quality audio over Bluetooth through supported accessories. This is possible because of the “aptX” (the audio streaming codec).
  •  4K video recording: Another amazing feature to the list. The high-end Lumia owners can enjoy recording 4K videos@24 fps. Sadly, this feature is not available for all the PureView devices like Lumia 830 because of hardware restrictions.
  • Improved Internet Explorer:The IE is now even better with the Lumia Denim.

Cortana Alpha
Experience: 
The Lumia Denim is another successful update by Microsoft. This displays the dedication and hard work of Microsoft for providing the user with better user experience with every update.  The update added many new features to the devices. After updating my Lumia 520 to Lumia Denim, I checked out the Cortana. It is an Alpha Version but still it is working fine. Though, it is no where comparable to the Google Now, in terms of performance.  
The Mobile data toggle is one of the most awaited features. As I said earlier, I was expecting it with Lumia Cyan update but it is available now. The Live Folders helps in managing the User Interface. The other features are also useful in some or the other way.

Verdict: 
The update is pretty much impressive with many new features and improvements but it is not as great as the Lumia Cyan update. My personal expectations from Microsoft were pretty much high after the rollout of Lumia Cyan. Cortana is the only main attraction of this update. The other features like “quiet hours” and “app corner” provide utility and security. 
I will rate it 4 out of 5 and hope Microsoft will keep on supporting Windows Phones like this in future.

Popular posts from this blog

Xiaomi Mi 3

Image
Xiaomi Inc. is a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, which is nowadays giving a very tough competition to many Indian and other international mobile manufacturers. They are providing smart phones with high-end specs and that too at a very affordable price. This is the review of their “flagship” device in India, the Mi 3 .    Tech Specs: The Xiaomi Mi3 is a 2G-3G-WiFi ready device and supports only one SIM card. The device has a 5 inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen which can support up to 16M colors and that too in FHD! The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides the necessary protection to this device. The internal storage of this device is 16 GB which cannot be expanded. The device also packs some futuristic technology like NFC or Near Field Communication. The other connectivity options are Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP and microUSB v2.0 with USB On-the-go. For photography, it has a 13 MP primary camera with dual-LED flash and 2 MP front camera. The cameras can rec...
Read more

Everything you need to know: White Rice and it's Benefits

Image
White Rice. The most "controversial" form of rice known for it's bad nutritional value. If you are a beginner to weight training and looking to gain muscle, I'm sure the first thing your trainer or nutritionist has advised you is to give up White rice. They might be right because they don't know how to utilise the carbohydrates you get from the White rice for your benefit.  In some cases, I have seen coaches advising White rice but their client end up gaining fat instead of muscles. There is always a strategy when you are dealing with something so complex in nature and simple in carbs . Here are some tips and benefits of using White rice, but before we get there let us have a look at its nutritional value. White Rice- Nutrition Facts Looking to pack-on some muscles, try White Rice :   White rice can help you gain muscle faster, but only if you use it properly. The white rice consists of only simple carbohydrate which is the reason why peop...
Read more

Everything you need to know: Mass Gainers

Image
“Dude, you are way too skinny! You need a Mass Gainer to grow”. If you are a guy who is trying to put on some muscle mass, but unable to achieve your desired goals, then you must have got this advice from your coach or some other gym dude. But, before you take their advice, just ask yourself, “Do I really need a Mass Gainer?” The answer to this may vary from person to person and there is nothing wrong in buying a Mass Gainer if you are working really hard and consuming the right amount of macros but unable to reach your goals (which is very unlikely!). What are Mass Gainers? Mass Gainers are nothing but “high-calorie protein drinks” in disguise. A typical Mass Gainer is a blend of Protein (usually Whey Protein, Casein Protein, Egg Albumen, Soy Protein, Sweet Dairy Whey and Plant Protein), Maltodextrin (starch compound), Dextrose (glucose), Creatine Monohydrate and Anabolic Substances (in some Mass Gainers). The manufacturing and marketing companies claim that their rec...
Read more