Windows Phone 8.1 with a lot of updates

The new layout looks like a bit like a combination of Windows RT and Windows Phone; the lines are blurring between the two platforms.

Microsoft has been murmuring about sharing applications across mobile and OS platforms, or rather, creating “universal apps”, for a while now. This would mean that the same applications you would use on Windows 8, would be available right on your smartphone. At least, in theory.

Now 8.1 isn’t exactly Windows RT, but, it does seem like Microsoft is making a push towards having applications work on all Microsoft devices. What lends more to this idea is Microsoft’s changing 8.1′s installation files to the .appx packaging format, which is the same format that Windows 8 uses. The signs sure are plenty.

New to 8.1 is the ability to change your default messaging application, a la Android. There’s also a “Battery Power Sense” feature, support for VPNs, and the re-naming of SkyDrive: it’s now called OneDrive in the OS. There’s also a “Storage Sense” feature that has been added, which allows users to install applications to SD cards.

Noticeably gone is the Music+Video application, it isn’t in 8.1. Instead, there are two separate applications: one for Videos and another for Music.

Multi-tasking has been added in Windows 8.1. There isn’t much known about the application, however, developers are reporting that its akin to Windows 8, instead of an application quitting when you hit the back button, it just chills out in the background. Swiping down now closes apps, so there’s no need to tap the close button anymore.

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