Windows Phone 8.1 Blue OS: What We Know So Far

The latest GDR3 update for Windows Phone is yet to be rolled out but the leaks about Windows Phone 8.1 OS have been already surfacing the internet. Windows Phone 8.1 OS, also known as Windows Phone Blue, is said to be the next big update from Microsoft after the GDR3.

Loads of new features are said to arrive with the upcoming Windows Phone OS, out of which the major features would be a new notification centre like the Android OS and the much talked about Nokia Pro Cam that will be the default camera app for devices running Windows Phone 8.1 Blue

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Cortana - Voice Command Service

Another major feature which is said to be confirmed for the new OS is Cortana. Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Android's Google Now and Apple's Siri voice command service.

It has been also noted that: 1) Long pressing the start button would bring up the Cortana voice command service 2) Double pressing the back button would close the current app opened on the screen.

Skype May get Some Changes

Skype product manager Jeff Kunins also revealed that they are making progress in improving the apps.

"We've made a ton of progress on our Windows Phone app in general, and as you can imagine we're doing a lot of fun things for Windows Phone 8.1 as well. I think there will be some fun things to see there," told Kunins to The Verge. This indicates that a considerable change may come with the Windows Phone 8.1 Blue OS's Skype app.

New 3D Touch Technology May get Introduced

Additionally it has been understood that devices codenamed "Goldfinger" and "Moneypenny" will be firm's first two handsets which will run Windows Phone 8.1 Blue OS. The Goldfinger handset could also feature a technology on which the Finnish firm has been working on for years: 3D Touch.

This technology is said to use the handset's sensors to detect the user's gestures without touching the glass. The handset will be allegedly be able to detect gestures above and on the sides of the handset, reports Laptop Mag.

Onscreen Buttons

It has been also reported recently that the firm is planning to remove the back button in Windows Phone 8.1 Blue. The button would be replaced with the on-screen version. By dropping certain hardware requirements the handsets may sport a bigger screen in the future.

Sources reveal that Microsoft is currently experimenting with the on-screen button functionality, which is speculated to be similar to the one used on the Google Nexus devices.

Release Date

The Windows Phone 8.1 Blue might be rolled out in Q1 of 2014 as it is expected to come after the GDR3 update, which is yet to go on floors and is being tested for most of the devices. The GDR3 update will be soon rolled out as the latest Lumia 1520 model already supports the update.