Microsoft Officially Launches Lumia Denim Update For Windows Phone 8.1

If you’re one of the millions of Nokia Lumia smartphone owners out there, you’ll be delighted to hear that Microsoft is officially rolling out the Lumia Denim firmware for Windows 8.1. Microsoft notes that while the rollout has commenced, it’s up to your individual wireless carrier to get the updated pushed out to you.

“The Lumia Denim update has started rolling out to a limited number of devices in selected markets, and will continue arriving in waves by device,” said Adam Fraser, a staff writer for the Conversations blog at Microsoft. “A wider rollout of Lumia Denim to all Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to begin in early January, following partner testing and approvals.”

The Lumia Denim Update obviously includes Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1, but also features improvements to the Lumia Camera App including faster image capturing; the ability to capture “4K-quality” video with a long press on the camera button; Rich Capture, which automates auto HDR, Dynamic Flash, and Dynamic Exposure settings; and improved image processing algorithms.

The Lumia Denim Update also includes an “always-on” app that allows you to say “Hey Cortana” to activate the Cortana personal assistant.

Just keep in mind that in order to install the Lumia Denim Update, you first need to have the Lumia Cyan Update installed -- and there's also that sticky issue of waiting on notoriously slow U.S. wireless carriers to make the update available...