Microsoft is updating Windows Phone 8 for the third time, adding in a
Driving mode and making provisions for future 'phablet' devices
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer launches Windows Phone 8 in 2012 Photograph: Kimihiro Hoshino/AFP/Getty Images
Microsoft is updating its Windows Phone software to accommodate
larger devices of up to 6in diagonally - classed as a "phablet"
(phone-tablet) - and make it easier for motorists to reduce distractions
while driving.
The move is part of an effort to give its range of mobile devices
greater feature parity with Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, even
while it lags in sales behind the two ecosystems.
It's the third update to the Windows Phone 8 software since the
system's release a year ago. Devices with this update will start
appearing in the coming weeks, and older phones will be eligible for a
free upgrade, too. Microsoft couldn't give a precise date when the
software will be sent to older handsets, because that will depend on
operators' approval.
Drive time
Something that may appeal to motorists: a new Driving Mode will
automatically silence incoming calls and texts so that you can focus on
the road. You also can configure the feature to automatically send out a
reply to say that you're driving. It can be activated automatically
when the phone is linked wirelessly with a Bluetooth device in the car,
such as a headset. Apple has a Do Not Disturb feature for iPhones, which
can be activated via its Siri voice assistant.
What the Driving Mode won't do, however, is block outgoing calls or
texts. And there will be ways to override it. The feature won't stop a
teenager from texting while driving, but it will help reduce
distractions for those who want that, says Greg Sullivan, director for
Microsoft's Windows Phone business. Windows Phone 8 update 3 has a special Driving mode. Photograph: /PR/Microsoft
In a blog post about the update,
Darren Laybourn, the corporate vice-president for Windows phone points
to a number of enhancements, including a rotation lock for the screen
("does your screen keep spinning when you're trying to read emails in
bed?"), an easy way to close apps from the multitasking interface, Wi-Fi
access when configuring a new phone, and improved Bluetooth. All of
those bring Windows Phone closer to feature parity with Apple's iPhone
and Google's Android - although there is still no solution for
Microsoft's longstanding row with Google over a native app to show
YouTube videos.
Phablet time
The new update also will allow for better resolution to accommodate
larger phones. Currently, the system supports a maximum resolution of
1280 pixels by 768 pixels, which is adequate for phones with screens no
larger than 5in on the diagonal. But video and image quality degrades
when stretched out on larger phones, such as a 6.3in (16-centimeter)
Samsung Galaxy Mega, one of the largest phablets on sale. Windows Phone 8 update 3 allows for phablets
by allowing up to three columns of large tiles - or more of smaller
tiles - on the display. Photograph: /PR/Microsoft
The layout for larger phones also will change. Phones may now sport a
third column of tiles, for instance; previously they have been
restricted to two, although some have allowed small icons to fit more
in. Contact lists and other features will be able to fit in more
information. That's a contrast to Android, where larger screens means
that text and images simply gets bigger, without actually fitting in
more content.
Microsoft's Windows Phone software, launched in October 2010, holds a
distant third place behind Apple's iOS and Google's Android. It had a
worldwide market share of 3.7% in the second quarter, according to
research firm IDC. But shipments of Windows Phone devices grew 78% to
8.7m in the April-to-June period, compared with the same time a year
ago. In the five largest European countries, its share of sales in the
quarter to the end of September approached 10%, hitting 12% in the UK.
Microsoft in September said it is buying the mobile handset division of Nokia,
the Finnish company, and will close the deal in the new year. That may
mean that it can drive development of the software and hardware together
- though it will still be licensing the software to companies including
ZTE, Samsung and HTC - the latter having less than 10% of Windows Phone
sales, yet still being the biggest provider outside Nokia.
Microsoft is launching a program to give app developers early access
to the new software. Apple has had a similar program for the iOS
software behind iPhones and iPads, while Google often has worked with
selected developers on unreleased features.
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