First 'real' Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot shows upcoming Notification Center

Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to be one of the biggest update to Microsoft's mobile platform with a huge list of rumored features. Today we are getting our first look of what is said to be the first and only ‘real’ Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot.

The blurry image coming from The Verge’s Tom Warren Twitter account shows the settings for the upcoming ‘Notification Center’ in Windows Phone, a feature that is expected to mimic Android’s notification drop down and store all your unread notifications. It's an image previously posted by Windows-focused site WMPowerUser, but now it gets endorsed by Microsoft insider Warren as the 'only real' WP8.1 picture.

You can see 4 toggles that will allegedly show in this new ‘Notification Center’ - a GPS, brightness, Wi-Fi and Flight mode. You can also select notifications from which exact apps to appear in the new notifications hub, and we are seeing the option to turn on and off at least email and messaging. You also get an added option to show ‘banners’ for each notification. Additionally, we are seeing that receiving notifications in this central hub will not disable live tile notifications.

Given that this comes from a source with a good track record, we can be fairly certain in the authenticity of the screenshot. A Windows Phone ‘Notification Center’ has been a feature sorely missing on a platform where you have to hunt down missed notifications, so it’s definitely welcome.

Recent rumors have suggest that the notifications in the new version of Windows Phone will be actionable, so you could respond to them right in that 'Notification Center'. We are curious to see if this will indeed become a reality with Windows Phone 8.1.

We have also heard rumors about a Windows Phone 8.1 voice assistant called 'Cortana', which will work like Siri and Google Now. Considering how behind Microsoft is in this department, it would be disappointing if this feature does not make its way to Windows Phone 8.1

• Microsoft's Cortana on Windows Phone will compete with Siri and Google Now
• Cortana Voice Assistant for Windows Phone 8.1 shown in video
• Cortana Voice Assistant, new HERE maps and new Xbox Games for Windows Phone 8.1 leaks in video

The latest rumors have suggests that Nokia will unveil the first new Windows Phone 8.1 devices at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. One of these devices are rumored to come with a 1440 x 2560-pixel (QHD) display. Considering Windows Phone currently supports 1080p screens at maximum, this would mean that Windows Phone 8.1 would have to include QHD support.


source - @TomWarren (Twitter)