Coming soon: The Lumia Denim update with 4K video, voice activation and improved camera app

Today at IFA Microsoft revelled the next update for Lumia devices following on from the Cyan update. The next update which is called Lumia Denim includes Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 so you get Cortana in the UK and China, Live folders, VPN and improvements to Internet Explorer (you can read more about 8.1 Update in my blog post from June).

The Denim update also includes a renamed Nokia Camera app, now called Lumia Camera. The camera app loads faster so it only takes milliseconds going from shot to shot. There is a new feature called Moment Capture which records a 4K video recording at 24 FPS with each frame at 8.3 MP, you can then pick out individual moments from video as high quality images. There is rich capture with Auto HDR and Dynamic Flash modes that you can adjust to after taking the photo. I very nice feature is voice activation so just say “Hey Cortana” and Cortana will wake up and you can interact with it hands free, there is also an updated Glace Screen which will show Bing Weather and Health as well as time and app notifications.

The camera updates will come to the Lumia 930, 1520, Icon and 830 (not the 1020). The Denim update will ship with the new Lumia 830, 730 and 735 with other Lumia’s getting the update later this year (Q4). They look like an impressive set of changes especially the camera app and I can’t wait to get it on my Lumia 1520.

Lumia Camera – Replacing Nokia Camera, Lumia Camera is faster and more intuitive than before to make the best camera experience, even better.

 Speed – Pocket to capture speeds are superfast, and it only takes milliseconds going from shot to shot.

 Moment Capture – A long press of the camera button starts 4K-quality video recording at 24 FPS. With each frame at 8.3 megapixels, you can save individual frames as high quality still images.

 Rich Capture – Auto HDR and Dynamic Flash are now welcomed into the already-impressive feature set. Shoot first and adjust the camera settings later for that perfect photo.

 Improved image processing algorithms – Updated to give you clearer photos, even in lowlight.

“Hey Cortana” Voice Activation – Gone are the days of pressing the microphone button to wake-up Cortana. Simply say “Hey Cortana” while the phone is idle and Cortana will activate.This is possible thanks to theSensorCore technology.

Glance Screen – Compatible Lumia devices can now show more at a glance with Bing Weather, or Bing Health & Fitness data, in addition to time and date, notifications and application data.