Report: Windows Phone 8.1 to be released between July and August; Developer version coming earlier

posted by Alan F. / Feb 16, 2014, 11:07 AM

Report: Windows Phone 8.1 to be released between July and August; Developer version coming earlier

Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to bring plenty of new features with it. On Saturday, we ran down all of these new features for you, and now Windows Phone users can't seem to get this update out of their mind, wondering when all of these new capabilities will be theirs. According to a published report out of China, the Windows Phone 8.1 update will be sent out between July and August of this year.

A source with inside knowledge of Microsoft's plans say that a developer version of the updated OS will be available starting in April. Those with an App Studio account will be able to access the Developer Preview of Windows Phone 8.1.

According to the report, at the same time that Windows Phone 8.1 will be pushed out, a number of new handsets will be released, to take advantage of the improved operating system. The report didn't mention any specific brand or model.

Even if Microsoft releases the update in the July-August period, many won't see it for weeks afterward as the revised OS goes through carrier testing.

source: WPBar (translated) via WMPoweruser

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69 Comments

1. karim77

Posts: 70; Member since: Dec 10, 2012

I don't have any problem with time as long as WP 8.1 will be released to consumers perfectly without any faults

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 11:11 AM 8

4. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

A lot features are coming guys. A lot features are not in sdk. A tons of features coming.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 11:42 AM 13

7. LoveHater

Posts: 234; Member since: Oct 09, 2013

Yes in that list ,, there was not mention of ie11 and new camera app,,, they are there surely

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 11:51 AM 4

17. noler

Posts: 326; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

True. @tomwarren "Reminder: there’s a lot of Windows Phone 8.1 features that aren’t in the SDK, and a lot that is hidden. A lot." It seems that all user requests comes with a WP8.1 :)

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 12:41 PM 4

61. noim1

Posts: 297; Member since: May 15, 2012

as long as it is released for my Lumia 520 i am happy !!!

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 12:06 AM 0

66. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Be ready for 8.1 for your cute 520. U won't gonna miss.

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 7:30 AM 1

13. lalalaman

Posts: 638; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

I was hoping for june...but july will also work....thank god I have unlocked device=)....no carriers

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 12:25 PM 5

53. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Yeah, and this is the time frame everyone is expecting anyways..

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 7:54 PM 0

2. alterecho

Posts: 1106; Member since: Feb 23, 2012

I have a feeling that this is going to be the last update, since by the time this gets out, it will be almost past the 24 month support promised by MS. What's more, even WP8.1 doesn't seem to address the pressing issues and the severe lack of features. This is why MS seems to be delaying updates even for such trivial and mundane features.... Consumers screwed AGAIN by MS.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 11:37 AM 12

5. papss unregistered

Give it a rest... For effing sake.. If you don't like it then don't buy it.. Simple as that, vote with your wallet.. I do and will continue to support m$

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 11:45 AM 11

33. sgodsell

Posts: 7219; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

But the world hasn't voted for them. WP has a tiny marketshare. With declining sales from the previous quarter, to rumors of running Android apps on WP devices, and Nokia releasing an Android device. Microsoft may as well just ask Google and Apple what they should do next.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 4:14 PM 2

55. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Lol❕❕❕... As much as you guys trolling comments make me sick,,, I have to admit that was kinda funny..

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 8:31 PM 1

58. alterecho

Posts: 1106; Member since: Feb 23, 2012

I definitely won't, but i expect that they improve what i had supported already. By the way, i was supporting Nokia, not MS, by getting their Lumia, hoping they could earn more and part ways with WP and MS.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 8:47 PM 0

59. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

What's up dude?

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 9:36 PM 1

64. nokia12

Posts: 610; Member since: Nov 19, 2013

exactly... wait for sales to start falling once they remove NOKIA name from their phones

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 1:51 AM 2

67. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

That probably will happen initially if MS doesn't do some major, I mean major, Lumia brand awareness marketing.. But, I mean it would have to be stupendous marketing!!!!!

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 8:20 AM 0

68. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

But, that's ok, and it is expected.. It's really nothing to panic over, and sales will bounce back with time.. It's more about the long run...

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 8:21 AM 0

16. lorenzattractor unregistered

Everyone says lack of features, this and that and fail to say which ones.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 12:40 PM 4

18. noler

Posts: 326; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

The Lag feature are missing.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 12:47 PM 9

20. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

Transitional animations. Lag is there, they just covered it up. When feature parity actually matures, we'll see it for what it is, like iOS.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 1:00 PM 7

24. papss unregistered

I agree.. if theres going to be flaws we will see them after this update. This is where m$ should show their strength though so I hope not many surface... no pun intended

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 1:29 PM 3

62. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

Dirty franking truth is, I want to snag an alternate os, but at this point, bb has software upper hand imo, and wp the hardware. So Frak me if its not a lowered expectation on either, at this point. They need to be spurred harshly, android an iOS are not waiting around.

posted on Feb 17, 2014, 12:47 AM 0

26. noler

Posts: 326; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

So It's a shame that all Android transitional animations fail to covered the Android lag.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 1:31 PM 5

31. Awalker

Posts: 1973; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

There's only a few transitional animations in Android and it's mainly in the app drawer. The animations in Windows take a long time compared to Android and iOS. I've never really thought about it but maybe it's there to cover up lag .

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 3:15 PM 3

32. noler

Posts: 326; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

The transitional animations in Android is also between home screens, home screens to app drawer, app drawer to home screens... The animations is to cover up loading time and not lag. You can see stares in Android transitional animations and the lag is built deep in to the system. "Galaxy S4 Lag Fix Makes it 10 Times Faster! "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeKoJfuiy_Y "5 Common Causes To Laggy Android Devices (And How To Fix Them)"http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/speed-up-android/

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 3:42 PM 0

46. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

The only lag I see now is WP fan inability to see the plain obvious. Nokia is producing android phone. Microsoft secret project in lab is Normandy X, an Android fork. They have throw in the towel already for wp, my brain lag wp fans. LOL!

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 5:57 PM 2

57. rodneyej1

Posts: 3576; Member since: Jul 06, 2013

Dude, you're hilarious... Keep telling them pathetic trolls what's up.. ....................... The truth is that for every issue they bring up about WP there's also one for Android... Android is far from perfect, and not closer to perfect than WP.. Actually, I would say that for what WP does have, or do, it's more perfect than Android will ever be because it does what it does well... ........................ I'd rather have a stock Ferrari with only 400hp than a super tuned mustang with 800hp... The mustang, no matter how much you customize it, will never have the feel, and class, as the Ferrari... Like Android a mustang has to be modified to attempt to have the experience of a Ferrari, but with even more "power under the hood" it still doesn't perform well... ........................ It's quality over quantity... A concept that these trolls will never understand... So sad.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 8:41 PM 2

29. hurrycanger

Posts: 1760; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

Agree. The lags are there! Sometimes it's really bad. The smooth "loading" animation really covers it up (which is a good thing). I've compared the Lumia 521 to the LG Mytouch 4G, and the 521 was not any better than the Mytouch. Sometimes it was worse, especially when switching back to the navigation app from the music app. Most of the time, the 521 is just stuck with the loading screen forever with the smooth animation. xD (You can check the specs and compare. It's kinda interesting.)

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 2:52 PM 2

44. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

I have and do own a 521, nothing that I would not expect of a 70$ phone. I do not get the lag you do, perhaps the developer unlock has fixed some? Then again when a note 3 lags with much more hardware, there is an apparent issue. There is posts all over the web, and even apps to fix a laggy droid.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 5:31 PM 3

47. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Android is a breast, not for the weak. The weak does not known how to maintain their smartphone in tip top condition that their business. My note 2, note 3 rock! And I like it that others Note lags or explode whatever! Blame it on their inability that my view.

posted on Feb 16, 2014, 6:01 PM 1

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