The first images of the new Notification Center, dubbed 'Action Center', for Windows Phone 8.1 have made their way on to the web. The screenshots appeared on the site Winphollowers and Windows Phone Central is able to confirm their authenticity at this time.
The screenshots appear to have come from a confidential email sent around Microsoft, detailing various aspects of the new OS. Only one page of the email, or slide deck, is shown and it’s the one that details the Action and Notification Center.
The Action Center for Windows Phone 8.1
The image of the Action Center for 8.1 (aka 'Blue') shows the ability to enable / disable connections such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode and Driving Mode. These are of course, configurable for the user. On the left side, you can see an option to 'Clear All', that is, clear the notification list. To the right, a user can access 'All Settings', including the ability to configure the quick access tasks, mentioned above. Users swipe down once for the quick-actions, and can swipe again for the notifications.
In addition, it is now clear that a battery percentage can be shown to users below the battery icon at the top left (in addition to the date), yet another minor feature that many users have requested.
The slidedeck also mentions about how apps can ‘intelligently manage notifications’ such as silently add, update and delay alerts. We’ve mentioned these in the past under the name ‘ghost notifications’ whereby a user won’t be actively alerted, like current Toast notifications, but instead, the alert will show in the Action Center. This will be useful for less important alerts to the user, and developers will be able to leverage these independently on their apps according to their design.
From sources familiar with the matter, we can also confirm some of the behavior of this Action Center. For example, if a user is playing a full screen game and they ‘swipe down’ accidentally, they won’t see a huge center come down, but instead will just see a small, blue tab (akin to the blue bar in the image). This intelligent usage of the Action Center will ensure users only can use it in appropriate contexts and not in others.
Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to be announced by Microsoft on April 2 during their Build conference in San Franciso, with new devices being announced at a later date. A developer preview of 8.1 will also be announced on the same day, with it being opened up as an opt-in program akin to the current Developer Preview program for Update 3.
Source: Winphollowers; Thanks, Redeemed, for the tip!
Reader comments
First screenshots of the Notification Center for Windows Phone 8.1 reveal new design
Pages
Will this be available on the Lumia 620?
Wait... I always thought it would feel pretty natural for Windows Phone to access the notifications center by swiping to the Right from the home screen. I guess this other approach will probably allow the feature to be accessed from any app instead of only from the home screen.
It might have been just me then. Wondering if it was better to try it this way, or if it was better not reinvent the wheel and use something that may feel pretty familiar if you come from another platform. The swipe is already familiar too if we want to see the status of things like BT, WiFi, signal strength, etc, so it might still feel like expanding or enhancing that existing gesture.
I like the tie in with using Windows PC feature names.
Can we get wp8.1 update all over countries at the same time???????
Can we get wp8.1 update all over countries at the same time???????
Can we get wp8.1 update all over countries at the same time...?????
Emma has that face that says my vag-i-na is not as cute as me.
YAY! I can't wait!
This is the reason why I sold my WP and turned to iPhone. I got fed up with all the waiting. It's been a year I sold it and back then notifications were already an option that will come 'soon'. Although I really liked my Lumia 920 I got tired of all the empty promises for this and that coming soon.
O.......K. Don't understand what this post has to do with the topic. As if anyone cares about what phone platform you moved to.
Pretty cool I guess, though not enough to get me to switch back to Windows Phone. I wonder what it would take?
Sweet ! Can't wait for it to land on my 920 and whatever phones Nokia will announce on the 24th !
This looks like andriod's pull down tray though.....
So, Android and iOS ripped off ideas from Microsoft so it's about time Microsoft did the same!!
Well, wasnt Live tiles enough for notifications... Are they removing live tile notifications support by introducing notification center? Quick settings for wifi/bt/etc.. is welcomed!
Working it way up and soon getting all the features that Android and ios have. I try 7.5,7.8 and got screwed... I learned a lesson, wait till Microsoft for at least for 5 to 7 more years. Maybe by then they will have it down...
Well i can see an Action Centre mock up but nothing of the notifications centre. The images prove nothing conclusive
Aside from the fact that there's a picture on Twitter that show it on an actual device, I'd call that conclusive!!
That and the slides in the article are direct from MS!!
Will it be fully functional on low end devices like Lumia 520? :|
Hurry up and wait
Although looks good, but I dont see the purpose of showing battery % and logo together, it should be optional, as I personally dont prefer the logo, I like the % numbers instead....I hope they know...
You need to get out of the iOS and Android way of thinking!!
I'll admit that I'm one of those people that don't really see the need for a Notification Center since the Live Tiles work just fine for me but this does look pretty functional. Looking forward to trying it out.
Is annoying with live tiles and toast notifications. The toasts just keep on spamming non-stop especially with the Whatsapp. I hope with the new action center, it will not happen anymore. And I can have a much shorter start screen with lesser tiles pinned. And also, I don't need to unlock the phone to see if anything I missed should the lockscreen runs out of rooms for the notification.
666 comment, good lord haha
Notification,hub is good....but we need apps installation on mmc card...and simple feature like auto turn on,of Bluetooth wen sending a file,and then,after file is,sent it switches off, i have that feature on my Symbian 808 pure view.
Release day on 4/20 maybe? See in the picture? That would make that day even better!
Please make it swipe right.
Please allow us to turn off jpeg compression in the next update for 920
Still waiting on GDR3 update
Still waiting to get GDR3 update
windows phone 7.0 user here. from day one in fact. actually have had every release and 3 handsets. is this supposed to get me excited about an OS that is where everybody else was 2 years ago?
why can't microsoft ship something, you know revolutionary instead of being late 2 years to everything! seriously windows phone is turning into a joke that is always 2 years old...every year.
I agree with others complaining about IE. I hope for much changes on it. Missing too many features and standard. I.e. On touch site is so bad...
Omg notifications. Lol. So behind
I really hope Microsoft brings Aero mode to WP8 that can give the floating transparent look that they implemented in windows 8.1 desktop OS. Some people may not like this, but others do; After all, Microsoft was the first to execute the gif type wallpapers in Win 7 which Android brought to their mobile platform. Microsoft shouldn't be loosing customers to other platforms due to lack of option......they're the largest software company in the world. If people want options, give it to them. Focus on everyone like you did when you wanted to put a PC in every home. Honestly, its not a matter of re-inventing Microsoft, its about getting back to who you once were.......adopting that hunger & fire you had when you first set out to change the world!
Hmmmmmmmm....
Still waiting for GDR 3 update from Rogers for my Lumia 920.
the user should control whether the notification is silent or not. This should not be controlled by the developer only, right?
twitter notifications too?
How do you clear individual notifications. I hope i can just slide it to the right
This seriously rocks. The 4 configurable slots for quick-settings is unique. This saves space on the UI and generally speaking 90% of the people don't use more than 4. I typically use WiFi, Bluetooth and Airplane mode. So having only 4 slots is perfectly fine. The other 10% of the time I can go into "All Settings". Also nice having a "CLEAR ALL" instead of the ambigous Android icon in KitKat. I think Action Center has the potential(from UI and API standpoint) to be the best of the 3.
I think that the quick-toggles should default to: WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane and Driving Mode. That will satisfy 90% of the masses.
Notification,hub is fine but we do need app installation in mmc card....and i would like one more feature,like in Symbian wen sending via Bluetooth,wen we select. Send via Bluetooth,Bluetooth. Comes on automatically and swiches off after file is sent
Will we get more theme colours with 8.1?
Give me
the quick toggle buttons might be customizable, so you will possibly able to add internet sharing there
Facebook beta for windowsphone can't upload photos in group comment section ..
What does that have to do with the article?
This looks cool :P Yeah I'm waiting to see the Lumia 1820! :D and this update baked on it yay
Sweet
I see another clock under the main one
I see a second clock under the main one
That's the date!!
Just bring the damn notification or action center wathever it is already ... I dont care swipe horizontal or vertical
Cool. Looks like IE browser tabs.
my thumb is too short to swipe from top edge :(
So. Looks like I'll be reinstalling the Developer Preview app. Hope 8.1 can install on my 810 (Amber firmware only) and doesn't require Black.
Wifi icon not aligned with other icons. Just saying :þ
Wifi icon is not aligned with other icons :þ
So excited, I think this looks really good
Nice, so 8.1 will be for Windows what 7.0 was for iOS - a bit more up to date. Google cannot thank you enough for giving them all that time but better late than never. Hope is on the horizon, if this update will find it's way to every WP phone this May then this system could yet be able to compete with Android.
Action Center + Threshold Merger = The God of all tablets, Surface
The leaker site said they have more images to release right? If true, Stop being such a tease. :)
Come on! You guys seriously believe this? We've been fooled before! And I thought WP8.1 will be announced at MWC this month!
It won't be announced at MWC, it will be announced at the BUILD event that Microsoft hold every year.
Ain't that awesome. Really really really really hope they don't disappoint
Battery percentage :)
Looks terible, would be looking great on Windows Phone 98 (if it existed).
I'm talkin about the design ofcourse, and the usability, IDK, we'll see.
This is on par with what Windows has been calling the hub it has since Vista. Sounds like Windows 8 will get a modern style action center too then. It is missing from the modern settings :)
Looks purdy
What I most want from 8.1 is one-click switch of wifi and the such, also making nfc functions to do it more transparent
This is much nicer than I expected, I just hope it is launched with gesture, at least not from a tile....
The design of the Action Center is awesome!
This is the only major system feature I miss from other platforms, add this, plus a fully featured facebook app and facebook messenger and I won't have half a reason to switch to another platform :)
Very pretty Notification Center (errr, Action Center) design.
They may be extremely late, but at least they're doing it right.
I'll definitely be marking my calendar for April 2, very exciting! Hopefully there won't be too much delay between the announcement and the Developer Preview. Either way, very excited!
Exactly, this is probably why its taken so long. They didn't want to create just another "notification centre" but wanted to add their own twist on it.
All you naysayers need to wait for BUILD and see it in action before making judgements on it!!
this notification center is OK , not more
really disappointing
come on MS spend some dollars to improve if u wanna compete
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL NICE UI AND NOTIFICATION CENTER! WOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRVC4BKWaP8&feature=youtu.be
Can't wait to see new wp8.1 phones !
You know, I'm not super thrilled with the "pulling it down" gesture. Someone mentioned about holding down the back button and using the multi-task area for a notification center, I would like that more because its different. Also, if there was any way to have the windows button blink for notifications I would attempt a back flip because that would be awesome as sh*t.
Different doesn't mean better.
These are welcomed developments on the windows phone ecosystem. At least, windows phone can now better compete with its closest rivals more than ever before!
I know the vast majority is excited, but the real challenge here and always has been is making the masses care about WP. It is such a non-entity in North America among providers let alone average users. For this I think there has to be another major marketing push that goes all the way down to sales people.
This is Amazing :)
toggles are very strange. They should be square or round as WP buttons/symbols
They fit right in, they're like small wide tiles.
Wow this looks awesome! Seriously cannot wait..
Date says 4/20? Lol
It would be fuck if Microsoft does not say anything at MWC I mean we fucking love MS but god damn it they take forever to update the platform. I want to be able to send a receive GIF images via MMS, Edit a video like iMovie from iphone, File Explorer like Android, Install apps on my micro sd card, damn!
Then you'll be sorely disappointed, Microsoft don't "do" MWC as they have their own event called BUILD ;-)
Nice :-)
Reminds me of the Dynamics CRM 2013 user interface.
Nice!
Last hope for windows phone.have to be on the mark otherwise BB10 is also improving very fast.
Just as long WP 8.1 Will support the Lumia 920! I know the 920 is an older device now but it still keeps up, and it's One Hell of a good phone
I hope MS will do some changes to the applications page which currently is just a vertical column of apps. This hasn't been changed since its original release. We need a batter for innovative idea how to arrange apps!
Yes please
Please stop overreacting... "Beautiful" "stunning"... Come on, they will release something better.. It's like ICS android (ugly).. Pretty sure it will be so much better when they show us real WP 8.1... But it's nice.. I am closer and closer to get Lumia.. Waiting for Updated 1020 with 1080p and some updated sh*ts... And I am most exited about Cortana.. I really don't know how you live without something like Google Now and Siri.. It makes my life so much easier... Hope they will do it right this time.. I am little tired from iOS, and tried Android with Note 2, than Note 3, and I don't think I will ever use Android.. This is the biggest sh*t in the world.. For Note 3 with specs to the sky I still had Lags, apps crashing and all kind of problems... So WP is great OS.. And I am sure more and more Devs will support it.. It's getting really popular OS.. People are sick of iOS's look and Android Lags, so this is the best choice... And for most people camera is the most important thing.. And nokia does really good job.. Apple too, but when you are so sick of the OS.. You don't care so much it has great camera.. And it's cool to wait for updates with cool stuff.. Keeps you excited :-)))
Finally, one of the biggest 'should of been there since the beginning' features taken care of...just too bad we have X months to get it. WP is growing up
Also i wasn't way off.. http://imgur.com/fyUg2TL
Sexyyy :)
I seriously can't wait for this update!! I LOVE YOU MICROSOFT!!!
Now this is what I like to see!. Not red bars with different colour accents. Very simple looking and gets the job done.
This looks stunning!!! Beautifully done... Just cant wait for release!!! :D
I'm glad that at least they copied this from Android and not from iOS7. I just hope you can put more than 4 quick settings there.
Did you guys see the date...4/20 - April 20th is the date...now run amuck...
I was one of those people who believed that we don't need this sort of thing but the more I see of this, the more I'm warming to the idea of it.
Wow! ALOT nicer than anticipated. I like it. Can't wait to get updated! jejeje
Nice to see the battery percentage. Must of taken a while to code that
If they had to make Android like Notification Center, I wonder what took them 4 years. Pathetic.
would be nice if they fixed the sms/mms delivery report thing. very annoying to get it in a new message
Awesome! Can't wait. Thanks
Wow, looks pretty good. Pleasantly surprised.
i am concerened about what the 3 dot settings is doing on the action center
I think that part of it is transparent that's why you can see the app in the background.
From engadget: "There's no guarantee that we'll see Action Center in 8.1, but the historically reliable WPCentral vouches for its existence -- we won't be surprised if it's part of the final OS release."
Innovative??? Lmfao!! About as innovative as round wheels.
I suppose your car has square wheels then?
The feeling of something new coming on the way is kind of exciting, but I still can't wait to get this one let hope we won't wait for another 2 months for the carriers to approve it
Now, if only I could organize the definitions menu by moving the items up and down, more a less like we move the tiles in the start screen, that would also be very useful.
Anyone know if custom email notifications will be part of this or not? The ability to specify a different notification per email contact is critical for me. I've been patiently living with that since WP7. Thanks.
8.1 update should bring support for installation of apps&games on SD card or we're screwed.
From what I've heard elsewhere that is coming as well but I would expect it to be limited to microsSD cards that meet certain speed requirements.
I like the idea that it comes down in two times, but I was hoping the top part would be more like the control center in iOS 7: music controls, brightness, flashlight, ... I think it's stupid and annoying you can only choose 4 actions...
Wooooooooooooow
new pic:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/9/5394676/windows-phone-8-1-notification-center-action-center-screenshots
Is that a new version of Facebook app that benefits from the notifications center?
I dearly hope this comes with the ability to restrict which apps can notify you. One of the most annoying things about Android is just how many developers seem to think that their barely used app is somehow important enough to warrant a barrage of notifications every 5 minutes. It was utterly infuriating.
Hooray looks great!
OMG, this looks awesome!! Hoping that the shortcuts can be customisable.
Oh come on.. Don't make it the same way as those Androids and iOSs have it.. Make some difference like for e.g. use the corners of the screen to to show up quick settings..like the one from windows 8 (pc). It should be like, touch the upper left corner to show up the quick settings. Come on MS show some creativity and innovation rather than following those bunch of SUCK OSs..
That can't work on a small screen.
Wait , are we supposed to swipe down to see the battery percentage ?
I would also like to see a better calendar app and photos hub. Where we could create folders and see the picture info (size, date taken, location taken etc.)
Say hello to StoryTeller (even though it sucks).
Centre
Omg whats going on with the wpcentral app, everytime I try to post a short comment it edits my last longer one, and saves over it.... Typing this for the last time, the more I think about this I think its briliant... After this theres no longer need to pin bigger tiles for messaging related apps, as the preview is available in the centre... Atm I have email and fb as bigger, rest small as they give me toasts anyway..
Can't wait for Lumia 1820!!!
Tom Warren has tweeted more clearer screenshot. https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/432480060269154305
Marked on my calendar...7 weeks and 3 days...
Very much looking forward to having this. I just hope there are 'reply' options in the notification centre without having to open the relevant app.
Press+Hold will have options such as Reply, Cancel (or in case of FB, tell person to FO...)
We need also a better calendar, the stock one sucks
amen! i dont even use it any more. just looking at it ticks me off.
This is as lame as Android. Unless they have something on the left of my start screen, it's going to be a wasted space.
Already mentioned and leaked before, left swipe from start screen will have "Me"
Source? Link?
I honestly hope I can swipe right to bring the action center/notification center into view instead of swiping down from the top. I like to see my battery and connection indicators when I swipe down at the top of the phone. But if the update keeps the indicators on screen 24/7, then I'll be fine with swiping down.
Hopefully it will be on the left side of the screen and the icons will stay always on screen. It kind of annoys me having to pull down from the top everytime I want see the wifi/3G. Besides, the percentage will be on the top too (hopefully).
And a,,, how about temporary files? :|
This fascinates me, on so many levels. We have a saying in Croatia that goes something like this: "He who can please everyone is yet to be born." I don't know the English equivalent. In the same comment thread I read people squeaking happily because this is something new and original, and people protesting how this is going to be yet another Android clone... And we are all watching the same image. :) There's only little you can do to have notifications and settings all together and keep it fresh and innovative. Let us wait and see, keep the rotten tomatoes and eggs for later, if and when they would be necessary :)
Agreed. I hope I can swipe right to reveal the center. I don't know of any Android device that can do so.
I cannot wait - this release is shaping up to be something major!
I hope openvpn support is included!
Hopefully you can choose what settings are short cuts. Id love to see the ability to open some apps from the lock screen, ie a torch app. Quick access to something like that would be great
One thing I hope 8.1 has is the ability to edit playlist..any idea if its going to there..
the date is 4/20 (20/4 for the people who do not live in USA). IS THIS A JOKE?
No joke, it could 04/20/2013 build date or 04/20/2014 the date it is going to be available to Johns & Janes..
The leaker ( Microsoft employees maybe ) want to give us a hint, don't they ?
I really hope there's an action for switching between 2G and 3G/4G. Even on Android I had to install a custom rom for this.
Another thing we can conclude is that notifications are categorized by the app they are from! Not so messy like in ios and android!!!
That's what I like about the way Microsoft have implemented this feature.
I wonder why nobody mentions the 2 swipes required.. Isn't that kinda annoying?
No, you can do 2 short swipes or 1 long swipe
Where did you get that information from???
Can't find the source right now (lazy to search), but it has been previously leaked.
Has everyone missed the meaning behind the name "Action Centre"? That means you should be able to action/reply notification directly from this screen without opening full app...as per previous leaks all notifications in 8.1 should be actionable right from notification bar...much better than Android or iOS, this is going to be killer feature of WP8.1..:)
Shit... That could be awesome
It's coming, blue screen errors and many more.
Looks nice))
there are so much things even simplest things missing in WP.
but every time those simple things are implemented it comes out in so much special way.
not like other competitors copying each other so blatantly...
not competing with others, but standing on its own...
that makes WP owners hold on to their love on WP more...
I just waiting for wp8.1 before buy another phone...maybe wp8 will become completely fully featured and more abilities , capabilities to come aside of that wp8 is completely smooth compared to Android is like java or symbian when you run the any apps .. Android good for games bad for applications ..
Give us a poll to see who likes it and who thinks they blew it. Time to show Microsoft they executed poorly with this android clone :)
*yawn*
Yawn what? I may stand corrected and will gladly admit if that's the case. But a poll would have to show that first. I am convinced even here, where there are arguably more people pro whatever wphone (including myself, mind you), that center would score no better than 70% - and that by all means is a botched job given the bias.
How is it an android clone?
Wait until its released, then such a poll would be more appropriate
True, makes more sense.
I find it hard to get too excited that sometime, probably in 2015 (I'm on AT&T) my L1020 will have notification capabilities approaching those on my HD2 4 years ago.
Wake me when Windows Phone OS can so something new that wasn't possible on Windows Mobile.
HTC tilt 2007
You can keep Windows Phone running reliably for more than a week without rebooting, that's something you could never do with Windows Mobile...
Why is the fbook logo the old one with the light blue strip along the bottom?
Will the preview come to those of us with gdr3 preview installed automatically?
It will available to EVERYONE with windows 8 running in their phones
I'd have thought so if you're in the dev preview programme.
I'm in the program, still waiting on black for my 521. April sounds like a good time to have a WP.
Please don't leave the Lumia 920 last on this update. The Lumia 920 was the 1st WP8 phone that came out and it deserves as much credit as the Lumia 1520 or the upcoming Lumia 929. The most important thing have a scheduled date on these updates don't have them scattered, like you guys did with the amber and black update. It was a mess and people were waiting so long it felt like a decade passed until the new OS was released.
Seriously? Do you like it? I feel a little sad and confused. It's exactly like Ios and android, why I am a WP user? Because it is totally different and fresh. Everyone in another post made it clear that did not want this, very disappointed MS
Its different its not a simple notification center but instead its an action centre..did you miss that on the pic
You don't have to use it; but some people do, so its there. MS are listening. Stop being a sourpuss
Exactly, I wasn't sure about this at first but knowing that I sometimes miss the toast notifications makes this perfect for me. You don't have to use it but it's there if you want to use it and I suspect most of the people who are complaining will use it anyway.
My guess is they will show off the functionality of it at BUILD and they have probably added a unique twist on the traditional notification centre.
Agree, why is MS rubbing their ass so hard to do the same as those boring OSs, Come on..MS make some differences, after all its windows, it should be out of the crowd..
I didn't know every Windows Phone user post here at WPC
Am I the only one who's noticed 'starbucks' instead of 'wifi' in the screenshot?...:P
Anyway, MS though a bit late in the race, I guess the implementation is gonna be perfect!! That's good news.
Its the network name you goose! Geeze
lazy azz monkeys took them 4 years to give US a notification centre.
Remind me how long it took Apple to add the same thing to iOS!!
I'm a bit worried about how much they will stuff into WP8.1. I hope they also do work on the services like better Skydrive where I can "make available offline" photos or documents like in Windows 8.1, folder management, week view for calendar, folders, better Skype integration, Smart Search for the Bing button including Cortana, Improvements to Office, for example Word displaying how a page looks and not just the text and Formulas in OneNote, Xbox Music app as central music app and with more features like fast-forwarding via the little bar and not via buttons, Reducing the font size of the title for most apps so you can see more content (compare Music app with Bing News), syncing of app data between WP8.1 and Win8.1, including IE, so history, passwords, favourites, and a new UI for IE where you can swipe to go back and forth like in Win8.1, favourites / most visited sites showing when you tap the adress bar
If they miss some of these, then we will have to wait till WP8.1 GDR1, and that will propably be around christmas.
Still think the fan design floating around a year ago where you had to swipe left for notifications was much nicer. This really does looks too close to android/ios to warrant the year long wait IMHO
That's the best most awesome news I have ever heard since the release of Windows phone, atlast, this is the update I was waiting for and that was holding me back from buying a new windows phone, hopefully they will release it soon after announcing it officially. Thanks for sharing WPC
Nice. The only thing that makes the imaes hard to believe is that windows phone desingwise has mostly been about the square modern UI design. All of a sudden we now have rectangular quicklaunch icons for the radio settings. I'm curious if this will also be like this in the final product. Still curious though if the icons will actually be the quicksettingsbuttons as a function or yet again as a link to the settings pages. If the latter is true that would be very unfortuante. I hope the also still offer developers an api update where a live tile can for radio settings can actually directly function as an on/off switch.
Now the only question will be what the memory footprint of the action center will be and how easy it is to delete read notifications.
In my opinion, it doesn't look very good, at least at first glance. Maybe because I don't see the big picture due to the excessive blurring, and maybe because it's just a static image, instead of a real demonstration of how it actually works.
Gimme gimme gimme gimme.....I want it now dammit!!! I've been a wp user since htc7 trophy in early 2011 through to the lumia 800 and now more recently a very happy lumia 1520 user and a notification centre has been the one major thing missing throughout. Really great to see ms/nokia making it happen. So we have a brand new genius ceo and a awesome update to look forward to this year......2014 is shaping up to be a good year for windows phone :-)
Pages