Microsoft: Windows Phone (8.1) update coming this spring with on-screen buttons, dual SIM support

posted by Florin T. / Feb 23, 2014, 6:58 AM

Microsoft: Windows Phone (8.1) update coming this spring with on-screen buttons, dual SIM support

Microsoft is hosting a press event at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona as we type this. Joe Belfiore, the company’s manager for Windows Phone, announced that the next OS update - presumably Windows Phone 8.1 - would officially arrive this spring on both existing, and new devices.

The next iteration of Windows Phone will no longer require three buttons on the front of devices, instead coming with support for on-screen buttons. Another major addition is support for dual SIM capabilities - this means that the rumored dual SIM Nokia Lumia 635 / 630 could be launched shortly after WP 8.1 is released. Microsoft worked with Qualcomm for a seamless dual SIM integration with Windows Phone. There will also be new Qualcomm chips supported, including the Snapdragon 400 and Snapdragon 200, both being perfect for ultra-cheap smartphones.

The new version of Windows Phone will allow us to store apps on MicroSD cards - great news for devices with low memory.

The rumored Cortana voice assistant was not mentioned by Joe Belfiore, but that doesn't mean it won't come to WP soon.

An exact release date for the Windows Phone 8.1 update was not revealed, but "this spring" should mean in March, April, or May the latest. We’ll bring more on this as soon as we have new details.

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24 Comments

1. lucid.brat unregistered

Great news and microsoft it really getting diffcult to wait so plz do bring it till April

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 7:08 AM 3

8. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

I hope they release 8.1 update in April.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:26 AM 5

2. Arthurhkt

Posts: 723; Member since: Apr 19, 2012

Hope can get this for my Lumia 925 by this April

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 7:14 AM 2

17. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

You can with the developers preview program... But, it will void your warranty.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 3:19 PM 0

22. Arthurhkt

Any different compare to consumer version?

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 6:55 PM 0

23. rodneyej1

As always, of course.... It's not final software... I'm not sure if it's gonna have Cortana on it, but hopefully it does...

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:18 PM 0

3. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Wow....Almost a year later than Windows 8.1 !

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 7:15 AM 3

4. chocowii

Posts: 478; Member since: Jan 30, 2014

A year past S3 was released. Im just saying

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 7:21 AM 0

18. rodneyej1

Who cares......

6. pookiewood

Posts: 631; Member since: Mar 05, 2012

That was always the plan.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:00 AM 0

5. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

CANADA IS WINNING YAAAAY (not off topic at all :)

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 7:43 AM 2

7. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Great news for WP users but its so sad that MS is so slow, all this features should have been on WP7 not WP8.1..

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:06 AM 2

9. akki20892

I agree. And Nokia shouldn't been sold their device and service.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:31 AM 2

11. haseebzahid

Posts: 1853; Member since: Feb 22, 2012

if u still not understand this was the Plan buy nokia then update WP all they can othervise Nokia would not have needed to be sold thats typical American style

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 9:14 AM 0

10. SleepingOz unregistered

Better late than never, I guess. Those who couldn't wait have already make the switch, anyway.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 8:36 AM 5

13. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I agree with you but you must realize Microsoft has to update their smart phones in such a way that does not infringe on other smartphone manufacturer's PATENTS. I think this is why Microsoft has been slow to get things on Windows smart phones and tablets. Now days Microsoft stays away from Patent and copyright fights. remember MS did not get into a fight over Metro instead it now calls the tile interface "Modern UI"

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 9:41 AM 1

12. nzagorec

Posts: 16; Member since: Jan 27, 2014

When they release Lumia with specs like Icon and camera like 1020 on international market, I might consider making a switch from Android to WP. Plus, they have to make Google create apps for them.

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 9:16 AM 3

14. 7thspaceman

I agree that Google and Microsoft should bury the Hatchet especially over the you tube app. I think Google deliberately killed the Microsoft made Utube app to keep it off of windows 8.1 tablets

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 9:47 AM 0

15. Sire3008

Posts: 87; Member since: Sep 26, 2013

My Lumia 920 stuck during black update. Always at Downloading update 0% even when I have a very very strong wifi connection. Any solution?

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 10:55 AM 0

19. rodneyej1

http://forums.wpcentral.com/

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 3:22 PM 0

16. saiki4116

Posts: 413; Member since: Mar 31, 2011

Camera button optional..So they have officially given the right for OEM to screw users

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 2:05 PM 0

20. rodneyej1

Just look at it like this.... Those manufactures weren't going to make any WP devices, let alone one with a Camera button.... Look at the big picture!

posted on Feb 23, 2014, 3:24 PM 0

24. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Like how droid does currently? Is that what the masses wanted from Windows? The ability to be 'flexible'. The reason being is a dedicated camera button costs $$$$, not tons but enough to make people look away, especially when your current line of phones have 0. MS is aiming at those manufactures to simply make the exact same phone, but pop a WP rom in it instead of a droid rom.