First
of All, happy Holi to all readers, may the color of Holi make your life
colorful.
The next generation of Microsoft’s mobile OS is said
to be carrying many new features along with brand new action center (MS’s name
to the notification center) with toggles and dual SIM with support, and a brand
new voice assistant etc. And all of the above features have leaked several
times. But it was still unknown what the name of the OS will be called? Well
the name has been confirmed to be Windows Phone 8.1, not like the delicious
names like Android’s.
Microsoft has been busy to update the compatibility
section of the apps on the Windows Phone Store. And from the picture it is
clearly seen that Windows Phone 8.1 OS version above the current generation
Windows Phone 8. It looks like most of the apps compatible with Windows Phone
8, are compatible with the next OS version.
But, you should know that the apps will be backward
compatible with Windows Phone 8.1 due to the new APIs and services on Windows
Phone 8.1. Windows Phone 8.1 is going to be detailed on the upcoming Microsoft
BUILD conference on 2nd of April, and also it is expected to see the
developer preview of the Windows Phone 8.1 launch during this BUILD.
The final version of the OS will be delivered to all
Windows Phone 8 devices as OTA update few weeks later. The Windows Phone 8.1 is
also expected to sport the much wanted File Manager, and ability to install
apps on the SD card, so the next version of Windows Phone is certainly going to
get some punch.
Last month in Mobile World Congress, Microsoft
announced 9 new partners to manufacture Windows Phones. And among them there
were Xolo, Lava and Karbonn, local Smartphone manufacturers famous for shipping
low cost Android Smartphones. So, it can be seen many budget dual SIM Windows
Phone 8.1 Smartphones get launched in the market.
Karbonn even announced it will launch dual boot
Smartphones in coming months and will launch Windows Phone devices priced
cheaply, between Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 12,000 and will be available by the end of
May and starting of June, said MD of Karbonn. Lava international CEO and MD
Hari Om Rai also said, A range of WP Smartphones will be launched under their
brand name by July, and they will be priced between Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 8,500. He
further added, Windows Phone will contribute 8 to 10% of volume of Lava
Smartphones starting July to August time frame. While Xolo will launch Windows
Phone handsets starting from Q2 of 2014 and it expects to reach a 15% share of
the Smartphone market by the end of this year.
It seems Microsoft is desperate to get more market
shares and to achieve that it even decided not to take operating fees from
Indian Partners, so that they can manufacture affordable handsets. Currently
the Nokia Lumia 520 is the cheapest Windows Phone handset that costs around Rs.
7500, and we all know how successful and popular this handset is. So, Windows
Phone Smartphones at Rs. 6000 or Rs. 6500 is definitely going to attract many
buyers.
So, guys what do you think of Windows Phone 8.1 future? Is it appealing enough to make you buy one Windows Phone device or will stick to your Android or iPhone?
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