14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is rumored to announce the Windows Phone 8.1 on April 2 at the BUILD 2014 event, but until then, the upcoming platform has to go through a series of tests that are meant to further improve it and eliminate any more or less critical issues.
WPCentral has just learned that Microsoft has started to send invitations to a confidential Windows Phone 8.1 SDK testing program, which will probably kick off soon.
This is not something out of the ordinary, as Microsoft is known for conducting these kind of tests before major OS updates are deployed for the general public.
The Windows Phone 8.1 SDK confidential testing program is meant to offer Microsoft some initial feedback from developers before the major OS update goes official in early April.
Obviously, each developer invited to participate into this program has to agree to an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), though we should expect some leaked screenshots over the next couple of weeks.
In addition to the fact that Microsoft will soon start the initial testing program for Windows Phone 8.1, WPCentral also claims that the Redmond-based company plans to kick off the Developer Preview Program on April 2.
This means that Windows Phone 8.1 will be available for download for the general public, thus bypassing the carrier's approval, which could delay the update for at least several weeks.
However, this has some drawbacks as those who install it before will not be able to benefit from optimized software until Microsoft releases specially tailored updates for their smartphones.
That will probably happen a few months later and may vary by country and carrier, but at least users will be able to get a taste of what Windows Phone 8.1 has to offer and, at the same time, provide more feedback on their experience. Stay tuned for more updates on this one.