• Diyan
• On August 4, 2014

Microsoft unveiled details about its first update to Windows Phone 8.1. Though GDR1 or Update 1 is not that massive and brings relatively minor changes compared with WP8.1, there are some nice additions which should satisfy both consumers and manufacturers. Update 1 will be available next week, so all users who enrolled for Preview for Developers program can update their Windows Phones. We also expect from Microsoft to fix the issue preventing users to get the Lumia Cyan software update and unleash both GDR1 and Cyan for those on hold who are now on the Preview program.
update 04 Aug: you can now update your smartphone

New features and improvements to Windows Phone 8.1

Live Folders

Update 1 will allow you to create folders on the Start screen by dragging and dropping Tiles on top of each other. With these so-called ‘Live Folders’ you can organize apps in a logical way while the Tiles itself remain ‘dynamic’. Live Folders will make Nokia’s App Folder app totally unnecessary as the latter basically displays a list with apps and disables their Live Tiles.

Cortana is coming to more countries

Cortana virtual assistant will reach U.K and China (nicknamed “Xiao Na”) as a BETA, while Canada, Australia and India will have an early ‘alpha’ version of Cortana.

SMS Merge

You will be able to select more than one SMS for forwarding or deletion.

Store Live Tile

The Tile of the Windows Phone Store is now Live, showing info about popular and new app and games in every 6 hours.

Apps Corner

Apps corner lets you give other people access to selected apps when they are using your Windows Phone. This feature can help companies or regular users to protect their personal data by selecting authorized apps which can be used by other people, thus you can create a customized Start screen for guest users.

Updated Xbox Music

Microsoft has updated Xbox Music with several new features. Xbox Music for Windows Phone adds a Live Tile, Kid’s Corner support and performance improvements.

Other changes

• Support for interactive covers such as Dot View Case
• Improved Internet explorer rendering
• VPN through Wi-Fi hotspots
• Internet sharing over Bluetooth
• flexible snooze alarm times
• GDR1 for Windows Phone 8.1 brings quick charge support for Snapdragon 800 processors that would allow you to charge the battery 75% faster
• Hardware support for screens between 6 and 7 inches.
• Hardware support for 1280 x 800 screens

Source: Windows blog