The list of improvements does not contain all the changes included in the update

Aug 6, 2014 11:58 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has started the deployment of Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 earlier this week, but not all Developer Preview users have received it yet. While the update is still rolling out in various countries, Microsoft released the official changelog, which contains some of the most important changes it adds.

Those who updated to OS version 8.10.14141.167 or 8.10.14147.180 should expect to get lots of new features that will be obvious at first glance. In addition, Microsoft did lots of under the hood improvements as well, which aren’t that obvious for those who don’t know where to look.

Nevertheless, here are some of the Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 highlights, as listed by Microsoft on the Windows Phone update history website:

- Folders. Folders let you organize your Start screen the way you want. Just push one Tile on top of another one to create a folder and get going.

- Messaging. Combine multiple text messages into one, and then forward them to someone else.

- Selection. With improved selection, you can now delete multiple calls, messages, or contacts.

- Apps Corner. Apps Corner lets you specify apps other people can use on a Windows Phone. Great for individuals and any-sized organizations who want to provide only the essential apps for others to use for work, school, or any other reason.

- Alarms. Now you can customize the snooze time for an alarm, and then enjoy a little more shuteye for the time you want.

- Accessory apps. Use accessory apps to get notifications from your phone on your smart watch, active phone cover, fitness tracker, or other kinds of accessories.

- Internet sharing. Now you can share your cellular data connection over Bluetooth, so you can get an Internet connection on more kinds of devices.

- VPN. VPN now supports L2TP, which lets you connect to more VPN services. Whether you connect to a VPN for work or personal use, you can do it on your Windows Phone.

- Narrator. Narrator now has touch typing and a way for you to turn off hints for controls and buttons if you don't want them read aloud. Some other improvements to Narrator help you unlock your phone a little more quickly, find and use the Back, Start, and Search buttons more easily, and tell you when your phone screen is on or off.

Microsoft is expected to continue to deliver Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 to all Developer Preview adopters, except for those who own HTC 8S handsets which have just been confirmed as ineligible for the upgrade.

HTC 8X owners will also have to wait a while longer until the Taiwanese handset maker manages to fix the issue that prevents them from downloading and installing the highly anticipated update on their phones.

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that you don’t need to downgrade to Windows Phone 8 in order to get Lumia Cyan update on your smartphone. You can download and install Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 on you handset, and when a firmware update (like Cyan) becomes available, you will be able to download and install it immediately.