Verizon Wireless is finally rolling out the Windows Phone 8.1 update to its flagship Lumia Icon smartphone in the U.S.
From time to time, wireless carriers tend to drag their feet when it comes to delivering updates to their handsets in a timely manner. Verizon is notorious for taking its sweet time with updates, and the Lumia Icon is the perfect example for such frustrating situations.
As a reminder, the Nokia Lumia Icon launched as a high-end smartphone exclusive to Verizon Wireless in the U.S. A global version of the handset launched later on as the Lumia 930, but interested customers in the U.S. were left with Verizon as the only option if they wanted to get the device subsidized.
The smartphone proved to be quite popular due to its powerful specs and features, but Verizon failed to update the handset in due time. Although the Lumia Cyan update rolled out last summer, for instance, the Verizon Lumia Icon never got a taste for it.
A software update was long overdue for the Verizon Lumia Icon, and the handset is now finally getting a neat treat. Microsoft officially announced that the Lumia Denim update is now rolling out to the handset, taking the device straight from Lumia Black to Windows phone 8.1.1, Lumia Denim. This means that it skips the Lumia Cyan update that never came.
Verizon Lumia Icon owners will now be able to enjoy the major overhaul that is part of Windows Phone 8.1, including much-touted features such as Cortana, the new Action Center for notification, greater customization for the Start screen, the gesture keyboard called Word Flow, Live Folders, and a slew of improvements to enhance the performance of core apps. VPN support is also on the table.
Moreover, specific Lumia devices, including the Lumia Icon, also get enhancements in the camera department. With the latest update, the Lumia Icon will boast Lumia Camera, which allows users to record video in 4K and enjoy a "super-fast" shutter speed, among other neat features.
Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim has already started rolling out to the Lumia Icon on Verizon Wireless, coming as an over-the-air (OTA) update. As always with OTA releases, the process is gradual and it may take a few days to reach all devices. For more information about the latest update or to learn how to upgrade your Lumia Icon, check out the video below or head over to Microsoft's announcement at this link.
