Video Walkthrough : What’s New in GDR3 Update for Windows Phone

After Microsoft announced GDR 3 for Windows Phone, they made sure everybody gets the update and it was possible on any device and not just the high-end Lumia or any Windows Phone. So in this video, I have explained all the features of GDR3 along with details and screenshots. I have also compared it with GDR2 side by side for you to know the difference. In case you want to install GDR3, follow this post.

Video walk-through:

Watch on YouTube

Closing an App without a confusion; The Big X is here

Microsoft hardware back key on Windows Phone had been confusing for many, specially one who starts with Windows Phone. Originally intended to make it go back one screen, most of the first..when wanting to close an app

Windows Phone now allows you to close an app, when you long press the back button, by tapping on the X icon on an  app running in the background. you can swipe to choose a different app than existing apps. In case you don’t want to close, select an app by tapping anywhere except that big x and it will work.

Watch on YouTube

Close Apps in Windows Phone

Custom Ring Tones for Everyone:

One of the features available in even a feature phone has finally made it’s way to Windows Phone by popular demand. You can now have custom ringtones for a particular number, which extend to email and text.

You can not also custom set ringtone for text or IM, voice mail, email and reminders. This option is right in the Ringtones + Sound section of settings. Though the option to cycle between Ring+Vibrate, Vibrate, Silent has still not made its way.

No More Screen Disorientation:

You have a new setting in Windows Phone which allows you to lock your orientation so if you are watching a video and move your hand a bit, the screen doesn’t rotate.

Now this also works for system screen and many apps but here is the deal —

  • Change your phone’s orientation first and then choose to lock. It also respects left and right orientation.
  • Apps & WP settings which support orientations will get locked but not the start screen, app list and few others.

Screen Rotation Bluetooth Profile

Bluetooth Enhancements

Bluetooth 4.0 : If you have the problem connecting to your Bluetooth headsets with constant loss of connection, audio break and so on. This update has enabled Bluetooth 4.0 profile to connect with low energy device.

Internet Tethering via Bluetooth: There is no Modem Mode here but you can share your Internet connection with your Windows 8.1 PC or any tablet using Bluetooth if they don’t have WiFi option.  This is how it works.

Better storage management

Other Storage has been a major pain for many users in Windows Phone. While GDR2 claimed to have resolved it though it did not, the same claim is being made in GDR3 by introducing a similar UI as Nokia’s Lumia Storage except that it’s available for all Windows Phone.

  • Go to Settings > Phone Storage and wait for progress bar to populate.
  • Tap on Phone Storage Bar for more info. The details give you insight or breakdown for space occupied by Apps+ Games, Music + Videos, Pictures, Documents, Maps, Email + Messaging, System and temporary files.

The most useful is the Temporary Files which gives you access to delete it and open IE settings, to clear some space from your browsing history.

Watch on YouTube

Phone Storage Management

Driving mode:

This mode lets you reject calls, text notifications and other app notifications while you are driving. You can setup auto replies for calls and text, so the person who tried contacting you knows that you are driving and will call back. You will have to connect with a Bluetooth device to enable this.

Watch on YouTube

Drive Mode in Windows Phone

Connect to Wi-Fi in out-of-box-experience first

When the first time users having no active Internet connections on their phones want to set it up. This created problem in two places:

  • When first time user having no Internet connection active on it’s phone want to setup using the Microsoft Account.
  • Second, when trying to restore apps from Windows Phone Backup solution, it took a major toll on Mobile data if you had loads of apps in the backup. The only option was to pause all of them and later connect over to WiFi and restart the process.

Good news, Microsoft has fixed it and now you can use WiFi while setting up the phone.

Other Minor Enhancements

Default Search provider in IE: Google is back if you wish use that as a default search provider. This works only when you enter a search term in browser’s address bar and hit enter.

Gears Progress Bar : When you upgrade your Windows Phone, you get rotating gears, it now has a progress bar so you get to know how much of the update is complete.

Dictionary: Option to Switch back to letters after you have typed an emoticon.

Concluding:

Though this update is very minor but it has rolled in some features which should have been there since the start. It’s a warm welcome by everybody and now our boats are set for the 8.1 Update or the BLUE.