Windows Phone updates are actually pretty useful

Did Windows Phone just get Windows Pho-nomenal? The third update to Windows Phone 8 was announced Monday on Microsoft’s Windows Phone blog, bringing with it a number of features that help put the OS more on a par with the competition. Although Windows Phone is often criticized for its lack of software and restrictions on hardware, the update opens the door for much better Windows Phone devices down the line.

The biggest changes won’t be immediately apparent to current Windows Phone owners, but they will help push the operating system’s device ecosystem in the direction it needs to go. Update 3 adds support for larger and sharper displays, including “phablets” and tablets. The update also adds compatibility with quad-core processors, paving the way for Windows Phones with better battery life and better-looking games. Windows Phone, like the iPhone, has never really been about cutting-edge specs, but the bump in power and screen resolution could prove appealing to people on older Android phones looking to jump to a platform with slightly less lag.