Microsoft to drop Windows Phone 8 support in July 2014

Microsoft (MSFT) has revealed support timelines for the current versions of its Windows Phone mobile operating system. The company will issue security updates to Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 for 18 months following each of the platforms’ launches. Windows Phone 8 support will therefore end on July 8th, 2014, while support for Windows 7.8 will run until September 9th, 2014. Microsoft notes that while it will issue fixes, “distribution of the updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone.” It also revealed that updates will vary based upon “country, region, and hardware capabilities.”