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Windows Phone 8.1 available to developers and non-developers that want it bad enough

By Luis D.

Updated: Apr 14, 2014, 8:29 AM

Windows Microsoft

Windows Phone 8.1 available to developers and non-developers that want it bad enough

Microsoft delivered on its promise andreleased a working build of Windows Phone 8.1 to developers. Greatnews if you are a code-churning machine, but it turns outregular users can get a taste of MS's new mobile medicine prettyeasily. If you have a WP8-running Lumia device and are willing togive up your warranty until the official update comes up, you mustcarry out a very specific procedure. You must become a developerwithout becoming a developer in the process! Whaaat? Look, it'sreally simple:

Visit the Windows Phone App Studiowebsite
Sign in with your Microsoft account andcreate a project
Download the Preview for Developers appon your WP8 handset (clickhere) and sign in with your MS account
The phone should detect the WP 8.1update is available

Before going for it, keep in mind thatthe update doesn't include Nokia's Windows Phone 8.1 workings - thenavigation core and the new imaging SDK. You also won't be able todowngrade to WP8 if you experience problems after the early update,but the Preview app should be pushing fixes to you until WP 8.1 isready for all. As previously noted, Cortana is only available for USresidents, although you are free to change your smartphone's locationand use it in exchange for any local functionality you might betrusting upon. Also, custom lock-screen isn't available in thedeveloper preview version. But Action Center is, and for some of you,it might be worth the update on its own.

source: Microsoft,TheVerge

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Luis D. has a multitude of news, features and review articles written for PhoneArena. He adeptly demystifies complex technology topics, such as the development of advanced materials for bendable device displays and the evolution of chipset manufacturing.