New details on what it should include are also available

Jul 27, 2014 08:14 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has been long rumored to be already preparing an update for the newly released Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, and it seems that the OS upgrade is indeed nearing its official release.

Said new software version, supposedly set to arrive as Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 (General Distribution Release) or Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1, has been spotted on Microsoft’s Dev Center, in documentation aimed at OEMs.

What this means is that the platform update could be almost ready, and that Microsoft feels that its phone maker partners can already be informed of the changes included in it.

Several weeks ago, the OS update was rumored to be nearly completed, with Microsoft getting ready to make it available for OEMs.

With Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1 reference already emerging in the aforementioned documentation, it appears that the platform is ready to be shipped to manufacturers.

In fact, a recent post on nokiapoweruser claims that phone makers are already testing it on new devices, which means that it has been already released, and that it is just waiting clearance to start rolling out.

Previous reports suggested that the update would arrive sometime in August-September, and the timing seems about right.

Devices running under the platform might also be released in the timeframe, coming both from Microsoft itself and from its partners.

Although no official info on the matter has been provided, rumor has it that Microsoft might plan on making the update available through its Preview for Developers program before pushing it to all users out there.

Details on what the OS upgrade will have to offer are scarce at the moment, but some of the software’s possible new features have already leaked online, such as native folder support on the Start Screen.

According to nokiapoweruser, the update will also bring along support for screens boasting a WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels) resolution, as well as for Network Time Protocol (NTP).

Moreover, Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 should also offer integration with a car’s navigation system for Cortana, while also offering CDMA+GSM dual-SIM capabilities.

With no confirmation on these features provided as of now, we’ll take the info above with a grain of salt. However, it appears that it might not be too long before some official information on the platform upgrade is provided.

Should WP 8.1 GDR1 be slated for an August-September release, Microsoft might deliver official details on it within the next few weeks and could also push it out via the Developer Preview program very soon, so stay tuned for more on the matter.