Microsoft starts Windows Phone 8.1 support on June 24

Microsoft announced at its BUILD 2014 conference that Windows Phone 8.1 will be coming out over the summer and now the company says support for the operating system will start June 24. Its new announcement confirms that the public release for the new mobile OS will arrive sometime in June. Microsoft said support for Windows Phone 8.1 will be until July 11, 2017. This means you will be getting software updates for the OS until said date.

However, you must also remember that the release doesn’t mean you’ll be getting the update immediately. You will have to wait until the carriers and manufacturers send the update to supported devices.

Sources: GSMArena + Microsoft

Microsoft works out kinks with Windows Phone's music app

Microsoft just released an update for its music app to address issues that cropped up on the Windows Phone 8.1 preview, such as no Cortana support and buggy interface. Now, the app lets you use voice command to search for playlists you want to list to, pause and play music, etc. Interface transitions look like they are smoother, too. And it woould seem the unexpected black screen issues are gone as well.

Source: Engadget

First look at Windows Phone 8.1

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Windows Phone 8.1 was released yesterday to developers but anyone can install it. The update is the biggest and most impressive refresh to Microsoft's mobile OS since its inception and one that brings various features and tweaks that propel Windows Phone forward as a viable and modern smartphone OS.

I installed Windows Phone 8.1 on my trusty Lumia 1020 and while the installation took around 40 minutes, it also became apparent that despite the '.1' designation, this is a major update.

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Microsoft launches Windows Phone 8.1 for developers

Windows Phone 8.1 is now available for developers. It features the biggest update in look and functionality to Windows Phone since Windows Phone 7 launched and includes the new Cortana Intelligent Personal Assistant which is said to encompass the entire user experience. Unfortunately, Cortana is a US-only feature for now. Also new is an Action Centre used to navigate notifications better and also an improved start screen tiled interface.

Registered Microsoft developers can get a taste of the future of Windows Phone starting today.