Windows 10 debuted just a few weeks ago, and it offers a plethora of updates and upgrades for desktops, tablets and phones. Windows 10 for phones is still in its very early stages, but Microsoft has rolled out a Technical Preview for select devices, and we were lucky enough to have an extra Lumia 830 lying around to give it a try.
I’ve been using Windows 10 for phones for a good two weeks on the Lumia 830. I’ve been using it at home and not as my daily driver because of its beta nature, but I wanted to give you guys a brief look at what Windows 10 for phones brings to the table.
First is the new home screen layout. Brought over from Windows Phone 8 is the transparent tiles, but now we can use different types of backgrounds that make the phone feel completely personal. It’s not a huge update, but it definitely helps Windows 10 make a good first impression.
Next up is the restructured notifications center. First of all, notifications like text messages are now actionable when they come in. Similar to iOS, you can pull down on the tab and enter your reply to that application. It currently only works with texts, but I’m sure a third-party app developers will take full advantage of that feature when it releases to the public. Another addition to the notification center lies in the notifications themselves: now, individual notifications are can be dismissed.
We also have a new drop-down menu for quick functions like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more. Cortana has received a big update as well, bringing improved voice recognition and more tasks that can be done. But for some reason, my voice dictation isn’t currently working on my messages. Remember that I said about this being a technical preview, though: There are lots of bugs.
Speaking of keyboards, Windows 10 brings a virtual trackpad similar to BlackBerry’s trackball to move around a cursor. It’s actually very handy when you’re jumping through lines or one single space, but it’s definitely going to take some time to get used to.
The camera for Windows 10 for phone now defaults to the Nokia camera. This means all the professional settings like ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and so on are included by default.
Last but not least, the new settings layout is no longer an endless list of light text. We now have logos and uniformity throughout the whole settings. That's a much-appreciated update that has only taken Microsoft five years.
All jokes aside, it’s great seeing new life in Windows Phone. It’s definitely getting to the point where people will like it more than the other OS options that are currently available.
Make sure you leave me some comments on what you think of Windows 10 for phone.