14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is already working on the next version of Windows Phone and sources familiar with the company's development plans have revealed that the new WP10 is already being tested internally.
Obviously, it's too early to talk about features that are going to change in Windows Phone 10, but there's no doubt that users expect the next release to excel in terms of looks and functionality.
Ever since Satya Nadella replaced Steve Ballmer at the helm of Microsoft, the company has expressed an increasing desire to get closer to users and listen to their feedback, so some of the products that are currently under development in the Redmond campus are more or less based on these suggestions.
That's why we decided to have a look at the 10 most requested features for Windows Phone and see what users actually expect to receive in the upcoming OS update. All these suggestions have been posted on the Windows Phone UserVoice group and have more than 14,000 votes, with the top request currently at 54,450 votes.
Cortana, LEDs, and profiles among the top requests
Needless to say, users want Microsoft to introduce features that would really help them make the most of their devices. Features such as worldwide availability of Cortana, LED notification support, profiles, and themes are among the most requested updates right now and are very likely to remain so until Microsoft implements them.
Here are the top 10 feature requests for Windows Phone 10:
1. Cortana should speak and understand my language – release it worldwide 2. Mobile data On/Off Option to Quick Settings! 3. Enable all Bing features for non US-countries 4. Under status bar, we need a shortcut to turn on/off connections and Internet sharing 5. Blinking LED notification for Missed Calls Email SMS 6. Windows Phone needs more personalization – like support for background themes and pictures 7, "Vibrate AND Ring" not "Vibrate then Ring" 8. Please sort settings by name, function or usage 9. Support for full Bluetooth profiles – including accessories, keyboards, low energy 10. Need USB ON-THE-GO (OTG) in Windows Phone
Chances to see them implemented
Fortunately, some of these features could at some point make their way onto Windows Phone, even though there's no clear indication in this regard at this point.
However, worldwide availability for Cortana is very likely, especially for large markets where Windows Phone gains traction. Obviously, do not expect Cortana to come with support for every single country, as this could represent an investment that wouldn't pay off for Microsoft.
LED notifications could also be implemented at some point if Microsoft decides to equip its phones with such hardware. At this point, the HTC M8 with Windows Phone does have an LED notification light, but it's obviously useless without support for such a feature.
Other improvements such as new shortcuts, more quick settings, profiles, and continuous vibration when ringing shouldn't be so difficult to implement, so they might actually see daylight in Windows Phone 10 if Microsoft doesn't come across other issues that could block their development.
