14 DAY TRIAL // Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia is gearing up for the release of the Nokia Black software update for its Windows Phone 8 devices, and it has already started sending out invitations to users to participate in the testing phase.
The firmware release, set to become available for download as soon as the Windows Phone 8 GDR3 OS flavor from Microsoft is pushed out in early 2014, should provide users with a range of enhancements and new features.
The update is not ready as of now, but Nokia is working on resolving some of the issues that still plague it, and is asking users to help in the process, WPCentral reports.
However, it seems that not everyone is asked to participate, and that the list includes mostly those who provided feedback on their experience with a Lumia phone through the “Feedback to Nokia” app available under Settings.
Users who completed the mini survey there have received an email offering them the possibility to test Nokia Black before it arrives on all devices out there.
Furthermore, it seems that the beta testing program is linked mainly to the Nokia Lumia 520 and Lumia 521 smartphones, though other handsets might also be included in the program.
For those out of the loop, we should note that Lumia Black is expected to provide users with green, blue, and red colors in the Glance Screen. Notifications will also be available on the Glance Screen following the update.
At the same time, the upcoming firmware release should bring RAW Camera support to Nokia Lumia 1020 and Lumia 1520 devices, as well as Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Moreover, the update should include some new camera algorithms, it seems.
Chances are that Nokia is also planning a series of other enhancements to its low-end smartphones, and this is why it is asking Lumia 520 and Lumia 521 users to join the testing process, given that the aforementioned enhancements won’t affect their devices as much.