Microsoft develops apps to improve WP functionality

Dec 16, 2014 11:26 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has recently released Gestures Beta, a new Windows Phone application that adds a few more gestures to its smartphone platform powering the entire Lumia series of devices.

Basically, Gestures enables users to perform certain tasks by simply moving their phones in pre-defined positions without even touching the display.

Of course, it's hard not to become a hater this time around and admit that most of these options were already available on devices powered by Android, but as always, better late than never. Windows Phone users only need to download and install the app, but keep in mind that it's still in beta, so it might not work exactly as expected.

Main features

At this point, the Gestures Beta app doesn't come with too many features, but it does allow you to control calls and silence your phone in a really convenient manner.

For example, if you want to answer a call without pressing any button, just download the app, install it, and then pick up your phone and put it to your year. Thanks to this new gesture support, the phone automatically recognizes your move and answers the call by itself.

At the same time, you can also mute your mic by placing the phone on a flat surface with the display down. As mentioned, this feature was already offered on other phones powered by Android or even BlackBerry, but it's good to finally have it on Windows Phone as well.

Additionally, if you put the display facing up during a call, the phone automatically toggles to speaker mode, without the need for you to press a single button. And last but not least, you can silence an incoming call by flipping device display down.

Supported phones

Basically, all Windows Phone devices should work with this new app, but Microsoft says that “630, 635 and 530 have limited functionality,” so some features might not be available on these models.

What exactly is missing on these three models is yet to be determined, but otherwise the app should work perfectly fine on all the other Lumia phones.

Of course, the app is still in development right now, so other features could also be implemented in future updates. Bugs and other issues are also likely to be fixed since Gestures is still in beta, so make sure that you send feedback to Microsoft in case you come across something that doesn't work as expected.

Gestures on Windows Phone (4 Images)

Gestures app on WP
Touch settings on WPAccessibility options on WP
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