14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft started to deliver the Windows Phone 8.1 update for compatible smartphones several weeks ago, but the first to get it were the Nokia Lumia devices.
Windows Phone users who own HTC and Huawei smartphones were having problems with the update, which is why Microsoft halted the deployment for these particular devices.
HTC 8S and 8X users, the only Windows Phone handsets launched by the Taiwanese handset maker that have been taken into consideration for the 8.1 update, seem to have encountered serious issues when trying to update to Windows Phone 8.1.
After thoroughly investigating the problems, HTC and Microsoft reached a disappointing conclusion for owners of these smartphones. While the HTC 8S has been removed from the list of compatible devices for a Windows Phone 8.1 update due to limited hardware capabilities, the HTC 8X’s update was delayed indefinitely.
Here is a translation from Chinese of a short statement HTC was willing to offer last month to those who own the 8S and 8X Windows Phone handsets: “R & D department matters after HTC and Microsoft repeatedly communicate about HTC 8X / 8S upgrade Windows Phone 8.1 Update developer preview version now follows notification:
HTC 8X will be the first time after time push notification system testing stable, while HTC 8S due to some hardware upgrades do not meet the criteria, this will not be upgraded, hope you are using HTC 8S friends can understand.”
HTC 8X owners will still have to wait at least another month
It’s been more than a month since the statement went live on HTC’s forums and we’ve just gotten word that HTC 8X users will have to wait a while longer for the update.
As WPCentral points out, HTC has just confirmed that, at least in the United States at major carrier Verizon Wireless, the Windows Phone 8.1 update will arrive in late October, “You can expect the Windows 8.1 update to roll out to Verizon’s HTC 8X in late October.”
Considering that carriers deploy updates much later after the unlocked units are getting them, we suspect those who own unlocked HTC 8X smartphones will receive the Windows Phone 8.1 update next month, or possibly in late September.
Unfortunately, HTC 8X owners will still have to wait another month or so to upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1, and by the time they get it, Microsoft may have already released GDR2 for Developer Preview units.
Anyway, it’s good that another HTC smartphone with Windows Phone hasn’t been left without the nice new features included in the latest version of the operating system. Stay tuned for more info on the matter.
@TheHardGospel You can expect the Windows 8.1 update to roll out to Verizon's HTC 8X in late October.
— HTC (@htc) September 9, 2014