Microsoft today announced the Lumia Denim update release for Windows Phone devices. It is the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update that follows Lumia Cyan. The roll out has begun and Microsoft says that Denim will soon be available for your Lumia device. It brings new features from Windows Phone 8.1 as well as some Lumia specific features which are exclusive to Microsoft’s own devices.
Improvements to the Cortana virtual assistant include natural-language scenarios, snooze times for reminders and being able to access Cortana in the car through the car-kit integration. The virtual assistant now expands outside the U.S. to China and UK in beta and to Australia, Canada, India, Italy, France, Germany and Spain in alpha.
When the Lumia phone is in idle state Cortana can be activated now by simply called out “Hey Cortana.” This eliminates the need to press the microphone button. This feature will work on Lumia 930, Lumia Icon and the Lumia 1520.
Other features include the ability to create app folders and get fitness/health related information from the Glance screen. Internet Explorer receives enhancements to enable fast browsing and better downloading speeds on mobile websites.
Lumia Icon, Lumia 1520, Lumia 930 and Lumia 830 owners will also get the updated Lumia Camera app that brings features like Moment Capture and Rich Capture.
Microsoft says that the Lumia Denim update is now rolling out to a “limited number of devices” in selected markets. Throughout this month it will become available in additional markets as its partners conduct tests and then grant approval.
Filed in . Read more about Lumia Denim, Microsoft and Windows Phone 8.1.