14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft seems to be preparing for the big launch in early April when the company is expected to announce the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system.
We’ve already had our fair share of leaks hinting to most of the major stuff to be included in Windows Phone 8.1, not to mention that the preview build has already been delivered to developers to make their apps compatible with the new OS.
Those who have been gifted developer units have also received the SDK and with it more opportunities to leak new stuff. All the info we have on the Windows Phone 8.1 points to a brand new OS rather than a major update.
There are so many new features and functionalities added to the next version of Windows Phone that fans will definitely want to switch to WP8.1 as soon as the first smartphones arrive on the market.
Today, the folks over at WPCentral report that Microsoft has just listed the upcoming WP8.1 OS on the main Windows Phone site. There’s nothing under the new category, which means it’s just a rehearsal for the big launch that’s less than two weeks away.
Windows Phone 8.1 will be a big improvement for those who are using devices powered by previous versions of the platform, due to the boatload of new features it adds.
While the user experience might not change overall, Windows Phone fans will be pleased to know that they will be able to use their phones in ways they couldn’t before.
The addition of USB OTG (one-the-go) support is one of the major features that will allow Windows Phone users to add keyboards, mice, but more importantly, external storage devices, USB flashes and so on.
Lots of tweaking has been made as well to offer those who choose Windows Phone over other platforms a more streamlined user experience. More details on the new changes that Windows Phone 8.1 will bring will certainly be revealed in early April.
However, there’s no telling for sure when exactly Windows Phone 8.1 will be released for the masses. While the Developer Preview build will be announced and probably launched on April 2, those who own Windows Phone 8 devices will have to wait a few more months to be able to upgrade.
The good news is that Nokia might launch new smartphones powered by Windows Phone 8.1, before the new OS is pushed to WP8 users. Hopefully, that will happen in April/June. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.