Windows 8.1 is finally here, bringing with it new notifications, Cortana the virtual assistant, Skype integration on the call app, Swype keyboard and more small updates and new features to enhance the user experience.
Nokia has jumped out from the woodwork to announce two phones running Windows Phone 8.1, in an attempt to claim first, despite no other manufacturer actually taking interest in WP.
The Nokia Lumia 930 and 630 were unveiled at BUILD, Microsoft’s annual developer conference. The Lumia 930 looks a lot like the Nokia Icon, taking the same metallic block build with a 5-inch 1080p screen and 20MP camera.
Verizon Wireless is the only carrier to have the Nokia Icon, this feels like a way to offer basically the same device running Windows Phone 8.1 for the rest of the world, complete with some different funky colors on the back.
The Lumia 630 is a little different, it is one of the first Windows Phone devices to have software keys instead of capacitive buttons and the design reminds us of the Nokia X and 620, with a matte finish on the back.
This will be a middle of the range device, considering it has a 5MP camera and Snapdragon 400 processor. There will be a 4.5-inch display, not sure on the resolution, with 512MB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage.
Nokia will also be offering the Lumia 635, a carbon copy of the device with LTE support, in some markets. The Lumia 630 will also have dual-SIM support for international users and Windows Phone 8.1 takes advantage of dual-SIM by offering two separate call and messaging tiles.
Overall, Windows 8.1 feels like a fully fleshed out update, it may have been a bit late, but brings with it a new virtual assistant, a fix on notifications and plenty of changes on each application to make it easier to use. Microsoft will need more than Nokia to showcase the new OS update though, hopefully Samsung and HTC are not too far away.
