Windows Phone 8 vs. Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft is expected to unveil Windows Phone 8.1 at the Build 2014 conference in April this year. This is the first major update to Windows Phone 8 and we have gotten a peak of the update thanks to leaks from the Windows Phone 8.1 beta SDK.

In terms of design, it doesn't look like Microsoft is planning any drastic changes, but Windows Phone 8.1 will bring a few aesthetic differences. Lets check out a visual comparison between Windows Phone 8 and the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 and see some of those changes

Windows Phone 8 GDR3	Windows Phone 8.1
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Background Tasks - The updated background tasks settings page. It’s interesting for telling users that you won’t be able to block all apps running in the background.
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Data Plan - On a limited internet plan? You can now select the level of compression for web pages served up through Data Sense on Windows Phone 8.1.
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Jump Lists - Not much has changed for the jump list in Windows Phone 8.1. The globe icon is colored though.
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Messaging - In messaging you’ll see ‘text’ dropped and an extra icon in the app bar.
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Multitasking - The multitasking view hasn’t changed much. You’ll see the updated Word icon and you’ll be able to swipe the card down to close the app. This is a feature Windows Phone 8.1 has borrowed from Windows 8.1
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People Hub - The people hub has some new options. In Windows Phone 8.1 you’ll be able to only show contacts with phone numbers.
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People Hub Settings - Here’s a settings page for contacts. This is where you’ll toggle to only show contacts with phone numbers in Windows Phone 8.1.
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Photo+ Camera Settings - Settings for the photos+camera hub get updated. In Windows Phone 8.1 you can have the Start tile for the hub cycle through various photos.

We should keep in mind that Microsoft is still in the process of refining Windows 8.1 before it is released the public. We should also keep in mind that not all features have likely been made available on this SDK in order to maintain privacy. If you have any questions or comments about the Windows Phone 8.1 update, please feel free to address them below.


source - WPCentral