Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 rolls out for developers, curious owners

(Credit: Microsoft Corp.)The Windows 8.1 Update puts the power button and search field right on your Start screen so you can quickly shut down or start a search.

The Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 is now rolling out to developers less than two weeks after the 8.1 OS' launch.

"The Windows Phone 8.1 Update Emulators package adds additional emulator images to an existing installation of Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 or later. With this update installed, you can create and test apps that will run on devices that have Windows Phone 8.1 Update," according to the official post of Microsoft.

While the update is technically for developers, any Windows Phone owners can freely install this via Microsoft's App Studio Program.

Improvements that go along with the update are introduction of folders for Windows Phone, Live Tiles, VPN Support, ability to choose multiple SMS to forward or delete, customizable snooze settings for alarms and enhanced Xbox Music app.

But perhaps, the British Cortana and Chinese Cortana could pass as the most interesting element packed in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1.

According to The Verge, "Australia, Canada, and India will also be able to take advantage of Cortana in an alpha form, ahead of a roll out to additional markets in future. Developer preview users can access the update immediately by simply checking for updates on a Windows Phone 8.1 handset. The update will roll out to other devices in the coming months."

Windows Phone 8.1 update brings a multitude of enhancements that include speedy processing taking advantage of newer quad-core processors, 1080p display and Nokia Rich Recording Suite.

Along with improvements is the entrée of Cortana on the virtual assistance battlefield, directly assaulting Apple's Siri app.

The Windows 8.1. Update 1 consumer release is expected in the coming months, and is expected to go head to head with the release of Google's Android L and Apple's iOS 8.

Windows 8.1 is very important for Microsoft as its bid to snatch a greater share of the multi-billion dollar mobile industry.

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