New features for Nokia's Windows phones with Lumia Black

Nokia is giving its Windows Phone-powered Lumia units more features via a "Lumia Black" software update it has started rolling out.

 

In a blog post, Nokia's Ian Delaney said the Lumia Black update includes camera enhancements and new capabilities, and will be available initially for the Lumia 1020 and 925.

 

"The Lumia Black update combines a host of new features, improvements in imaging, new apps and app updates from Microsoft and Nokia to make your Lumia smartphone experience even better," Delaney said. 

 

He said the new features and enhancements include:

 

- App Folder: provides users an option to further personalize and organize the Start screen. Similar apps and settings can be grouped into one folder, a tile, on the Start screen.

 

- Nokia Glance screen 2.0: Lets a user keep track of information in real time, covering notifications such as phone, messages, email, outlook, calendar, or any apps that use notifications such as Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, or games.

 

- Bluetooth LE: now enabled on the full Windows Phone 8 Lumia range for compatible gadgets like the Adidas MiCoach accessories.

 

- Nokia Refocus: available for WP8 Lumia smartphones with 1GB RAM and up.

 

- Nokia Beamer: allows users to share not just photos but other content like documents and presentations to any HTML5-enabled screen by simply scanning a QR code on the screen. It will be available for phones with 1GB RAM upwards.

 

- Nokia Storyteller: Initially available for the new Lumia 1520 and 2520 in late 2013, the app is available for other phones. It arranges photos by date and by place, "making it easier to tell the stories behind your pictures, and give extra context through the close integration of interactive maps."

 

- Nokia Camera: Combines Nokia Pro Camera and Smart Camera to simplify photo-taking. It also gives raw DNG support to Lumia 1020 owners.

 

- Latest generation of imaging algorithms.

 

- Enhancements from Microsoft including safe driving mode, customized ringtones for each contact, and the ability to close apps within the in multitasking view and lock the screen rotation.

 

A separate report on PC World said the software update will be rolled out in China first, "with the US and all others soon to follow." — KDM, GMA News