Lock screen apps have been long awaited since their unveiling alongside Windows Phone 8.1 at Build 2014. Last week, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore took to Twitter to tease that we'd be seeing those Lock screen apps in the near future - potentially as soon as this week. Here's a sneak peek at some of those apps you'll be using soon.
Watch that YouTube video above to preview those new Lock screen APIs in action. Those are animated Lock screens that will apparently be published sometime soon this week and you'll be able to nab.
Joe Belfiore also informed via Twitter last week that the Lock screen app will be in English and require 1GB of RAM at launch.
Watch the video and let us know if you like Classic, Clock Plus or Stripe. Personally we're digging Clock Plus.
Thanks for the tip David!
Reader comments
Here's a sneak peek at Lock screen apps on Windows Phone 8.1
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Its wrong this app is available on 512 mb ram devices...... I have 630 and 720 with 8.1 n have this lock screen app on both phones
I apologize if this has already been asked among the 400+ comments, but...
Does anyone know if they'll be adding a swipe/draw-to-unlock feature, or is this more along the lines of eye candy?
Clock Plus for sure! I've been waiting for that on the lockscreen ever since the Tron Clock app came out.
+1520
-520 :(
Clock plus for me!.. now I'm getting impatient lol!
Edit: I'm aware it is a preview app, but the potentional can be endless if MS don't pose any limits :P
Just awesome..
I'll be rockin classic and stripe on my red 920!
All 3 look good to me
Looks f***ing awesome!!!! Drooolll
I just hope it will be friendly with the battery.
Glance
One-derful :D
Battery-drainer? Also, this just looks to be a bunch of presets, what's the actual use?
I'm not convinced at all.
This is NOT the actual lockscreen app. As stated by the guy who uploaded this video to youtube, it's actually this app http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=aed8fa1a-6cc4-4c57-830a-702e30fb458a
It's an app built by the developers of Movie Maker, and is a simple simulation of what they think the lockscreen app might look like. According to people who have installed the app, it regularly redirects you to Movie Maker in the store, so it's basically spam...
WPCentral, please don't post this kind of crap, or at least mention in your article, that this is not an actual preview of the lockscreen app!
People are already drawing conclusions from this video on what the animated lockscreen will look like, but this video is nothing but a developer' fantasy. And it's spam.
Can some one enlighten me why this was kept so secret and what's so game changing about it?
Now wp8 has the best lock screen ..android and IOS can rest in peace :p
Will this also provide interactive music controls (I remember watching a video where songs could be changed with a swipe, and track position could be selected without unlocking the phone....)
Does it provide any other functionality aside from pretty animations?
This... Looking forward to actual utility value being built in the lock screen.
+930
Really looking forward to this app.
What's with the music
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Look forward to the first one in the video...as long as I can view the weather on my lock screen with the rest of the info.
I wish this would be available for 512 Mb devices :-/
Why the hell no 512 mb RAM support? This is bullshit! Damn You, MS!
You have full global offline sat nav, the amazing Nokia Camera app, free MixRadio...and access to pretty much every app on the store --- and you now moan about not having a RAM intensive lock screen app....
They ARE going to release it for 512MB devices. But given you paid peanuts for your phone, be thankful you get such a full experience! I bought a 1020....I kind of expect to receive the best apps and features first because I paid for the privilege. If you want to be on the bleeding edge of Windows Phone, get a 1GB device!
Please though, quit the moaning!!
Can you get to a new message/missed call straight from the lock screen ?
Course you can
I am so sick of 512mb RAM whiners. I also had a 520 but I was conscios that I bought a low-end phone and I loved it even with it's low memory. You should feel fortunate that you have such an awesome phone at just $60, think how would be an Android at such a price. And also realise that Windows Store has lack of good apps, imagine if they should all be compatible for 512mb
I hope you all know this is a fake. Tom Warren just tweeted it. Its an app in the App store atm.
Preview, not fake...WTF ;)
What't Tom's adderss ? I will send him my old 1520, so he can read the screen better (he should own an ifon ;)
As said, it is a preview (apis are not final). As available, I will publish the full app ;)
Stripe looks good but it was a bit glitchy! (Or maybe the video was glitchy.. I dont know)
Just animations (as there were not enough in windowsphone already). Features, we need features.
So, that means it is ready to roll? :D
This is just amazing!! Other platforms are so gonna be jealous!!
Wow turns out this is a fake. Hope the real thing is this cool.
Where did you get that from?
Tom Warren from the verge just debunked it on his twitter.
Yepp, I saw the app too. Shame.. But it looks sweet :)
Sorry if Tim Wallen cannot read well from his iPhone5s... It s a Preview, as written.
As soon as the final APIs will be out, I will publish the FULL version.
Nice.. Though somehow the app doesn't recognize the lock screen bg I set up.
An update is coming with some fixes/improvements (seems faster) and another effect too ;)
Does lumia 820 get this feature?
1GB. Yes
Fake, this is not the app Microsoft is releasing with the update. This is a copy made by Venetasoft and pushed today to the store, check out Here:
http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=aed8fa1a-6cc4-4c57-830a-702e30fb458a
The app is a FREE PREVIEW (as well written).
As soon as the final api will be finalized, I will publish the FULL one.
Oh, sorry Venetasoft, reading the article I thougt the video was made using the new Microsoft update :) so these lockscreens Will be awesome :) can't wait :) sorry again, if you want i'll delete this post :)
+520
I really hope these more to this not just the 3 otherwise what did they spend all this time for a 1G ram app and we already saw this at build
Its gonna be awesome, but I'm putting money on it being a battery killer.
There are some days i feel WP is more advanced than windows RT and this is one of them, it's be slick if we could see come during the supposed merge
Nice!
So if it will be apps that we can download from the store. Will developers be able to make their third party lock screen app?
Finally got Lumia cyan official in my l1520 but need this awesome lock screen app fast too
I need it to my Lumia 920 running 8.1 Devt Preview!
-920 for only 1GB and English .... why?!
Because Latin and 512mb is hard.
I like Classic most. Followed by the Clock Plus.
All of them are awesome.. Difficult to pick one favourite :)
Awesomee
This it's nothing we haven't seen at Build. Looking forward to getting to play around with this app.
+630 :-(
Battery waste.
Can we like tap on the notifications icons to go into that app directly from lock screen?
Love app of them but I think plus is the king here
Nearly two years later and I still love my 820 :)
+820
This shows great potential for future devs and ideas, as someone said before using the clock theme as a means of unlocking the phone. Genius
How is this gonna work? Will it be an app that enables this feature to work then you download other lock screen apps from the store? Or an app that is the centre of all the home screens and any you download go there? I'm a little confused
Oh I love them all ...
Daaaamn....plz bring it out for 512mb ram devices soon!!!
Would like to see the impact to battery life...
Looks amazing.
When .?
when for 512??? i lft Android for windows nd miscrosoft is doing ths atlst release beta for 512 miscrosoft jzt dnt forget tht wp max..share are frm 512'devices midrange nd INDIA is 2nd largest windows user country so plzzz....do release live locksreen for 512 as soon as possible r pepole take no time to change their mobiles as android offers grt experience in the same range with 1gb...!!!
The wow starts now. But I forgot to join. I don't see this is so unique.
Wow that video was terrible. Regardless, I cant wait to grab those lockscreens!
Would be nice if the ram in phones could be upgraded like computers. Seems like it should be possible to buy a 635 and pop a 2gb ram chip in that puppy, am I alone here?
Ahemm...heard of "phonebloks"?
I have 512mb ram.......so sad
Gorgeous
Now that is awesome hope its soon then
This would pretty much complete the experience for me as far as Windows Phone 8.1 making my phone feel like brand new. Everything from the startscreen background to action center makes everthing feel so fresh and this would be the icing on the cake for me.
Hmm now open xbox music :P
I like the clock plus... it seems Microsoft is taking steps to make Windows Phone as personal and customisable as possible.
Looks interesting. Pretty much endless possibilities too. Quite like the idea of one that pretty much looks normal until you slide up, then little puzzle pieces randomly swipe away revealing your normal home screen piece by piece. Or one that has a rain or wave effect that washes away your lock screen. Hell, you could have Ryu pop up and Haddouken your screen away lol. Anyone on here with a brain for this kind of thing fancy making that in the future?
Awesome!
Strips is my future Lockscreen ^_^ loved it
Waiting
Hahaha.... That's for what Microsoft is known for..... Love it... Keep it up....
Interesting possibilities with costuming
Noice
And there ya have it: Microsoft's answer to Google widgets. That's awesome!!
+525
I want them to make more productive. Rather than just the lock screen. I'm not saying this is bad but still if it can be used more for productive purposes
CANT WAIT HOPE THAT APP IS A LOW COST IN MEMORY HOPE IT BELOW 20MB
IM USING HTC 8X
I just want a simple gradient sweep that moves with my thumb.
Looks great, but will have to wait till +720 gets it
My battery will suffer but I wsnt to have this! +920
I'm glad that I chose Windows Phone.
As a developer, I am really excited about this. I can't wait to make my own custom lock screen.
Supercool, i can't wait!
Hey when it going to launch for 820
Classic takes the cake for me... Can't wait for that.
so good
Oh man..I'll have to wait for the 512 ram version..it looks supr awesome in the video..
+stripes
The second two look like laggy messes. :/
Yaaaaaayyy!!!!
Posted via Windows Phone Central App
Ugh I'll have to wait for the 512MB RAM version -_-
When It will be Avaiable for 512RAM..?
OK. Your site's videos work in Firefox 30, even though I use NoScript. They should work in Internet Explorer 11. Especially considering your website is about Windows Phone and Internet Explorer is the only major web browser that works on it.
AWESOME. The clock+ will become my favourite fr sure
Can't wait to use these!!!!
I'll most likely go for the classic. Now wejust neednew ways to unlock the phone. I watched the amazing spider Man and really liked the unlocking method Oscorp used to get into the labs. It'll be a new twist the pattern lock in Android. Also think Microsoft should incorporate the picture unlock method used in Windows into WP.
Picture unlock would be nice addition. Eventually it will come
Have 1gb buttt a lock screen that requires 1gb is a bit worrisome... Lag, drainage etc
Nice. :)
Flipkart got update.may be for the app crash
I can't see any video's from Windows Phone Central in Internet Explorer 11 on either of my Windows 8.1 pc's or Windows 8.1 Developer Preview on my smartphone. I'm not going to reinstall Google Chrome just to see them. Especially seeing as Google hasn't worried about fixing it's memory draining issue's, until they were recently reported by various computer magazine's. I don't trust Google, at all.
Try Firefox!
+Icon! Can't wait! I'll probably go for the first one :)
I dnt see whats the huge hype about lock screens its stil has the same functionality to show date and time im pretty sure its gonna be lagy as hell on 1gb they'l say it works smooth on 2GB..
WP8.1 ? Uhh yeah!
Daaaaaaamn, this is magic
Thnx
+820 :(
I like how this little things make my 8x feels like a new phone...
Random but.. I spot a Razer Blackwidow in the background. :P
seem faster
Classic and clock plus are cool. I can't wait to see more.
Posted via Windows Phone Central App
Waiting eagerly,,,fascinating stuff!!
Can't wait.. Utter anticipation!!!
Very cool. I love how Windows things look alive.
LOL
im sure you'll get it :)
Well, the devil's in the details.
It is design. Customization like none other.
Wow
Can't wait to try this. Wonder what the impact on battery will be.
Ohhhhhh.... forgot to vote earlier...I like stripe.
Sweeeeeet!! Bring it on!
Oh that means i have to wait 2-3 months for lumia 520
Clock Plus. Lumia 1520
Whoa. Take my money. This is why I love Windows phone. Its got style!
Ok.... Bring it
Is this a windows phone official update or a private app
I like Classic but maybe we will see more via updates since its a standalone app.
Looks great but I hope they give the option to prevent the lock screen from going dark (e.g. for when you have it sitting on your desk on a charger). I actually released an app that looks like the lock screen and shows photos.
512MB RAM - Waiting plus More waiting.
Firstly it was with apps/games now it's WP new features
Well this new feature that you're talking about happens to be an app so..
+925 happy!!
Does windows phone have undo on keyboard?
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Soo cool!!
I hope the developer of the nasa image of the day lock screen app takes advantage of this API
OMG... Stripe is extremely cool ;)
+ 920
512 ram please
That is so sexy!!
Yea... I've been waiting on this!
+820 :)
Oh man....cant wait
I didn't expect much when I first saw it a still image on Twitter. But after watching the video and seeing it animate while scrolling, I'm a bit more impressed. I'll be trying all of them out. I just wish there was a way we can create and import our own animated lockscreens. I have a cool idea on one.
Like them all
Holy moly those are freakin sweet.
Looks awesome
With a few small tweaks, Clock Plus would make an amazing combination lock. Think, spinning each layer of the circle to a specific position (customized by you) to unlock the phone. Beats a 4 digit pin.
I want this so bad.
Only three themes?
Only in this version, I'm working on LOT of new effects for the full (borrowed from Movie Maker ;)
What, now you work for MS??
The app will be available in next minutes ;)
Nothing for 512 RAM
Very cool but 520 :((
You sir have a flair for ELI5
Eh. I like the classic. But the other two look a bit weird in that demonstration. The last one looks broken. Clock has potential with a specially background.
I though we will finally get patron unlock but no :(
Can't wait for 512 Mb ram. Later
I cant wait! I want this!
Y can't u guys give an option to upgrade our phones ram :(
Coz phone is not A PC
PhoneBlocks! Or Project Ara :)
It looks cool...
I think 512mb people have to wait longer probably one or two months more after official release for 1GB RAM! i liked that stripe lockscreen! +Windowsphone
Always resident in memory = more "resuming"
OMG this is the Lock Screen app? This is sexy as hell!! I just want to see how the PIN will be implemented in this cool lock screens.
Cool wish it was part of the os though matter of fact wish customization should be released throughout the entire os
I can see VODAFONE IT, i suppose this video comes from Italy!
Yes sir :)
Looks good. I need
I'll wait to see what developers craft. From those three I only like the first one and even that I'm not sure I like enough to replace the traditional look.
Classic seemed the best to me too. Clock looked like it might be difficult to use, but might be just the presentation (showing off animations). None of the animations seemed to do anything useful though.
He needs his two hands to be able to unlock the phone with the Clock Plus lockscreen...
AWESOME!!!
Awesomeness
awesome
Just think of the possibilities when people make lock screen images that work along with the new api's. Its gonna be sweet.
They all look excellent!
I like the original, there's nothing fancy about this especially the serif font. YUCK
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