Microsoft has confirmed that all Windows Phone 8 users will be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1 when it launches.
When Windows Phone 8 was released, consumers were enraged they wouldn’t be able to upgrade from Windows Phone 7.
However, Microsoft has confirmed that this will not be the case with Windows Phone 8.1, as all phones will be able to make the transition to Microsoft’s latest OS.
The news comes from Greg Sullivan, Head of PR at Windows Phone, in an interview with Computerworld.
Sullivan even hinted that Windows Phone 8 devices could be able to upgrade their devices beyond Windows Phone 8.1 in the future.
“We won’t run out of head space on Windows Phone 8 any time soon,” he added.
Windows Phone 8.1 is expected to launch in April at Microsoft’s Build Conference, with rumoured features including a swipe-down notification centre and access to a quick settings menu.
The next Windows Phone OS is also tipped to feature an iOS Siri-style personal assistant called Cortana. Gaming fans will recognise the name from the hugely influential Halo series.
Cortana is expected to replace the existing Bing search feature, allowing you to get contextual information through voice imput as well as offering you even reminders and the travelling times to your destinations.
Other smaller features could include separate media playback and ringtone controls, VPN support and Windows 8.1 style Bing Smart Searches.
The only thing that could get in the way of your Windows Phone 8.1 update is the network providers, who will have to distribute the update.
Read more: Windows Phone 8 tips and tricks
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
