Microsoft has announced the availability of the GDR3 update for all Windows Phone 8 handsets. As you may already know, the GDR3 or General Distribution Release 3, (also known unofficially as Lumia bittersweet shimmer for Nokia Lumia smartphones), is an update for WP8 that is analogous to a Service Pack for the desktop Windows OS. GDR2 has brought in several nifty updates. As you may be aware, GDR2 brought in a few new features including major improvements to the camera app and enabling of the dormant FM Radio in supporting handsets. GDR3 update brings in a few more sought-after improvements that were missed in GDR2 including support for more tiles on WP handsets with larger 1080p displays. There will be custom ringtones, better storage management, app switcher, better Bluetooth, and phone setup for Wi-Fi.
There is finally a screen rotation lock that will lock in the orientation of the screen, so you can even read web pages while lying in bed.
There is a Driving Mode that turns off all notifications except texts and phone calls when you enable it while you are driving. It is also possible to turn off calls and texts completely or set the mode to automatically reply with a preset text message. Of course, emergency calls and alerts will still be allowed to go through. The Driving Mode can also automatically be triggered when you connect a Bluetooth device to the phone.
Mobile Accessibility — a set of apps designed to make WP more accessible and easier to use for visually impaired and visually challenged users, will be part of the feature set.
GDR3 makes it easier to use your WP handset as a hotspot for Windows 8.1 devices — all you need to do is to pair your phone and the Windows 8.1 PC over Bluetooth, tap your network name, and you’re good to go. There is no need to enter a password or turn on Internet Sharing within the phone.
More Custom Ringtones are now possible as you can set your favourite tunes to go off when receiving an instant message, email, voicemails, and reminders. Earlier, it was possible to set custom ringtones only for calls.
GDR3 features better storage management, making it easier to free up space on your phone and manage temporary files. There is a category view that shows exactly what’s taking up space at a glance.
Quickly close apps using the App switcher once you are finished using them. In this way, you can be sure that no app runs in the background without your permission. It must be noted that Android and iOS already had this option since long, but WP was lacking.
Finally, GDR3 brings Wi-Fi access out of the box as you can now use Wi-Fi even while setting up your phone. Earlier, you had to depend on a mobile data connection while setting up the phone in order to be able to restore your previous phone settings.
Microsoft also mentions Bluetooth improvements, as far as connection quality to Bluetooth accessories is concerned, although details about this are not clear.
The GDR3 update will be rolled out in the coming weeks and over the next few months for all Windows Phone 8 handsets. When an update is available for your handset, you will be notified. You can also manually check for the update through the phone settings.
There is finally a screen rotation lock that will lock in the orientation of the screen, so you can even read web pages while lying in bed.
There is a Driving Mode that turns off all notifications except texts and phone calls when you enable it while you are driving. It is also possible to turn off calls and texts completely or set the mode to automatically reply with a preset text message. Of course, emergency calls and alerts will still be allowed to go through. The Driving Mode can also automatically be triggered when you connect a Bluetooth device to the phone.
Mobile Accessibility — a set of apps designed to make WP more accessible and easier to use for visually impaired and visually challenged users, will be part of the feature set.
GDR3 makes it easier to use your WP handset as a hotspot for Windows 8.1 devices — all you need to do is to pair your phone and the Windows 8.1 PC over Bluetooth, tap your network name, and you’re good to go. There is no need to enter a password or turn on Internet Sharing within the phone.
More Custom Ringtones are now possible as you can set your favourite tunes to go off when receiving an instant message, email, voicemails, and reminders. Earlier, it was possible to set custom ringtones only for calls.
GDR3 features better storage management, making it easier to free up space on your phone and manage temporary files. There is a category view that shows exactly what’s taking up space at a glance.
Quickly close apps using the App switcher once you are finished using them. In this way, you can be sure that no app runs in the background without your permission. It must be noted that Android and iOS already had this option since long, but WP was lacking.
Finally, GDR3 brings Wi-Fi access out of the box as you can now use Wi-Fi even while setting up your phone. Earlier, you had to depend on a mobile data connection while setting up the phone in order to be able to restore your previous phone settings.
Microsoft also mentions Bluetooth improvements, as far as connection quality to Bluetooth accessories is concerned, although details about this are not clear.
The GDR3 update will be rolled out in the coming weeks and over the next few months for all Windows Phone 8 handsets. When an update is available for your handset, you will be notified. You can also manually check for the update through the phone settings.
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