Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Microsoft almost spilled the beans on Windows Phone 8.1

Published Mar 20th, 2014 2:42PM EDT
Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 Features

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

Microsoft definitely plans on releasing Windows Phone 8.1 because the company has already listed the next version of its mobile operating system on its Windows Phone website. WPCentral first spotted a Windows Phone 8.1 section under the Features menu, however, the company must have published the section by mistake because it’s not available anymore.

Microsoft is likely getting ready to launch Windows Phone 8.1, its next major mobile update, with a special announcement on April 2nd, the first day of the company’s Build 2014 developers conference.

Unfortunately, Microsoft did not actually reveal any details about Windows Phone 8.1 on its website, as the Windows Phone 8.1 menu was not a functional one, directing users to an unpublished page.

Even so, some Windows Phone 8.1 features have been leaked in the past weeks. A developer with access to the latest release of the Windows Phone 8.1 SDK said that the new OS will offer, among other things, JavaScript support for apps, a new way to track battery life, support for SD cards, a new YouTube player, support to set a different messaging app as default, and a new multitasking functionality.

Additional reports have revealed a new notification center for Windows Phone 8.1, and Microsoft is rumored to include a Cortana voice-based virtual assistant in this release as well.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.