Microsoft begins rolling out Lumia Denim update with Cortana improvements, Live Folders, and more

Microsoft today started rolling out its Lumia Denim update to its Windows Phone smartphones. The release includes everything in Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 as well as specific improvements unique to Lumia devices.

Lumia Denim has already shipped on recently released Lumia devices, including the Lumia 535, Microsoft’s non-Nokia smartphone. This update is for owners of Lumia devices that have been on the market for more than a few months, and Microsoft has put together a video explaining how they can get the latest release:

Microsoft didn’t share a specific schedule for the Lumia Denim update (though details should eventually be posted here). The company did say it “has started rolling out to a limited number of devices in selected markets” and that device availability will expand in waves.

Lumia Denim was first unveiled in September 2014. Here is a recap of the highlights:

• Cortana: The virtual personal assistant’s improvements include natural-language scenarios, snooze times for reminders, and the ability to chat with her in your car via car-kit integration. Originally available in the U.S., Cortana is now also available in China and the U.K. with a beta tag as well as in Australia, Canada, India, France, Italy, Germany and Spain with an alpha tag.
• “Hey Cortana” Voice Activation: Simply say “Hey Cortana” while the Lumia phone is in an idle state and Cortana will be activated. No need to press the microphone button. This feature is available for Lumia 930, Lumia Icon, and Lumia 1520.
• Live Folders: On your Start screen, organize your most-needed apps into folders (such as “News” and “Games”) so you can access them with one tap.
• Glance Screen: The newly updated Glance Screen shows fitness and other health-related activity from MSN’s Health and Fitness app.
• Improved IE: Connect and browse even faster with improved downloading speeds on mobile websites.
• Consumer VPN: This feature provides enhanced safety and security for your smartphone when connected to public, unprotected Wi-Fi networks.

Lumia Icon, Lumia 1520, Lumia 930, and Lumia 830 devices will also get an updated version of the Lumia Camera app. Microsoft is promising “images of the highest quality at the fastest speed with only milliseconds between shots” as well as new Moment Capture and Rich Capture features.

In short, this is a significant update, but most Windows Phone fans are already looking beyond it. Next week, Microsoft is expected to show off more about Windows 10, including the new operating system version for smartphones.