14 DAY TRIAL // The first handsets to run under the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system out of the box have already landed on shelves, but existing users are more interested in learning when the new platform release will arrive on their devices.
Apparently, they might not have too long to wait until they are able to download and install the final version of Microsoft’s mobile OS, at least this is what info coming from Australia suggests.
Australian Windows Phone blogger Paul Chapman claims that the update will be released in mid- to late-June, though a specific release date has yet to be provided.
Apparently, Australian wireless carrier Vodafone has already confirmed plans to start deploying the update in the next several weeks.
Paul Chapman has announced on Twitter that Vodafone will offer support for DataSense on Windows Phone 8.1 devices, and that Nokia Lumia 630, which comes with this platform iteration right from the start, will also offer the feature to its users.
“Confirmed with VFA: DataSense enabled by VFA in WP8.1 Blue update--mid to end of June. Lumia 630 already enabled,” he says.
As WMPoweruser notes, over 95 percent of Windows Phone users out there are currently enjoying the capabilities of Windows Phone 8, but all of them will receive an upgrade to the newer WP8.1 platform iteration.
The OS was already made available for download in the form of a Developer Preview version, and many users have already grabbed and installed it on their smartphones.
When making Windows Phone 8.1 official, Microsoft has officially confirmed that all handsets running under Windows Phone 8 will receive it, yet it hasn’t provided specific info on its availability as of now.
June has been already said to be the planned timeframe for this upgrade’s release, and it appears that things are finally shaping up this way.
When released, Windows Phone 8.1 will provide users with a nice range of enhancements, including the aforementioned DataSense, along with new home screen features, the Cortana personal assistant, support for background images on the start screen, transparent live tiles, and much more.
While the info above refers only to the availability of Windows Phone 8.1 in Australia, users in other markets out there should expect to receive it around the same time.
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before Microsoft provides us with some more accurate details on its plans for Windows Phone 8.1’s deployment, so keep an eye on this space to learn the news.