Windows Phone 8.1 'Cyan' Update Now Rolling Out to Lumia Users

Microsoft Mobile on Tuesday announced roll-out of the 'Cyan' update for Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Lumia Cyan includes the Windows Phone 8.1 Update available to all Windows Phone OEMs as well as certain Lumia-specific features and enhancements.

Starting July 15, Lumia users around the world will start to receive the Cyan update on their devices over-the-air (OTA), though exact availability may vary depending upon their carrier and/ or region.

While the Lumia Cyan update includes several new features for the users globally, Lumia Windows Phone 8 users in US will also get the digital personal assistant Cortana on their devices. The feature is also expected to reach China and the UK soon.

The Windows Phone 8.1 update adds a number of new features to Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices like the ability to use a custom background image for start screen, a third column for custom live tiles, People Hub, a new Action Center to customise settings, app notifications, and more, Wi-Fi Sense to automatically connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots, an updated native Calendar, updated Bing powered device search, an updated Internet Explorer 11 browser that promises a fast and intuitive browser experience.

Refer to our previous coverage for complete details about the Windows Phone 8.1 update.

Lumia users will also benefit from improved Nokia Camera, Creative Studio and Storyteller apps. Nokia Creative Studio 6 (CS6) will now be available directly from the renewed Camera Roll. The company is also offering a free upgrade to global Here Drive+ to Nokia Lumia 520, Lumia 525, Lumia 620 and Lumia 720 users along with the Lumia Cyan update.

Specifically for Nokia Lumia 1520 and Lumia Icon, the Lumia Cyan update will improve the audio quality of videos and the camera capabilities. Additionally, Microsoft's Screen Share technology will allow users to connect both devices to screens like a smart TV or projector.

A new SensorCore SDK Beta for both the devices will enable them to use location data, real-time updates, and more.

Nokia criticises Microsoft for lack ofWindows Phone updates, apps

It looks like Nokia has finally come out in the open against Microsoft's slow pace of pushing updates to Windows Phone 8.

 While the Finnish handset giant has been churning out new handset models and updated versions of its own services and apps, Microsoft has often been criticised for not playing a very conducive role when it comes to bringing its mobile OS on par with Android and iOS. 

Till now, tech evangelists and Nokia fans had been panning Microsoft for ignoring the Windows Phone 8 platform, however, it now seems that Nokia also wants Microsoft to get out of its slumber. 

In a recent interview with International Business Times, Bryan Biniak, Vice President - App Development at Nokia, has fired salvos at Microsoft, subtly conveying the message that smartphone sales are suffering due to lack of updates. He said, "We are trying to evolve the cultural thinking [at Microsoft] to say 'time is of the essence.' Waiting until the end of your fiscal year when you need to close your targets, doesn't do us any good when I have phones to sell today." Biniak also talked about the problem related to lack of apps, and how it's affecting the consumer's perception against Nokia's Lumia smartphones. "We are releasing new devices frequently and for every new device, if there is an app that somebody cares about that's not there that's a missed opportunity of a sale," he added. "To give you a reason to switch, I need to make sure the apps that you care about on your device are not only on our phones, but are better. I also need to provide you unique experiences that you can't get on your other devices." While the Windows Phone platforms boasts of 165,000 apps, a number of major apps including Instagram are missing form the platform. New releases and variants of popular games like Angry Birds and Temple Run also arrive on Windows Phone, months or sometimes years after they release their iOS and Android versions.

 A lot of software development on the Windows Phone platform is being supported by Nokia, with the company developing its own imaging software for its camera-focused offerings. Nokia says it will continue to invest in the platform's development on its own. "As a company we don't want to rely on somebody else and sit and wait for them to get it right," said Biniak.