Microsoft is planning to unveil Windows Phone 8.1 at its Build developer conference next Wednesday, but two video leaks are detailing some of the expected announcements today. While several Windows Phone 8.1 features — including Cortana and Action Center (notification center) — have leaked on video already, today’s latest footage shows the new Start Screen backgrounds. Microsoft has settled on an option that will allow Windows Phone 8.1 users to skin existing tiles with an image. Screenshots demonstrating the feature leaked earlier this month, and the video shows how Live Tiles can now be transparent and skinned with an image. There’s also a parallax effect when you scroll through the Start Screen.
Windows Phone 8.1 videos detail Start Screen backgrounds and Lumia 630
is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.
A second video, from the same source, also provides a look at a new Windows Phone 8.1 handset that Nokia is expected to announce next week. The Lumia 630, codenamed Moneypenny, is shown off with its 4.5-inch display and on-screen Windows Phone 8.1 buttons. Nokia is also expected to announce an international version of its Lumia Icon that will be dubbed the Lumia 930. Both devices are some of the first Windows Phone 8.1 devices planned, with others due in the coming months. The Verge will be live from Microsoft’s Build conference next week, so stay tuned for a lot more information on Windows Phone 8.1.
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