First look at Windows Phone 8.1 custom backgrounds

By David Nield March 2, 2014

first look windows phone 8 1 custom backgrounds win backrgounds — Image used with permission by copyright holder

A leak courtesy of Windows Blog Italy offers up our first look at the custom background feature of Windows Phone 8.1. Backdrops will appear within live tiles rather than behind them, which makes sense considering the way that the Windows Phone interface works. The screenshots were later confirmed as being genuine by the Verge.

If you’ve been keeping up with our reporting on the next edition of Windows Phone, you’ll know that it should be arriving in April at the same time as Microsoft’s Build conference. Plenty of features have been rumored besides the custom backgrounds: dual-SIM support, a new notification center, software navigation buttons and a personal assistant app called Cortana.

As for the customized backgrounds, the source of the leak says the revamped settings screen will enable you to choose both an image and an accent color. A three-column tiled home screen will be available for the first time as Microsoft looks to give users more options for the appearance of their software. The original two-tone interface design will still be available.

According to the Verge, the new customization options won’t be switched on by default, and individual apps will have the option to prevent their tiles from being skinned. Getting a background that fits well with your tiles might be a bit of a hassle, but it’s better to have the option than not — if you’re a Windows Phone user, is this the way you’d like to see the wallpaper option implemented? Or do you have a better idea about the method Microsoft could use? Let us know in the comments.

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Dave is a freelance journalist from Manchester in the north-west of England. He's been writing about technology since the…

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