Windows 8.1 Update Announced for June 24
A Windows 8.1 update for smartphones will start rolling out on June 24.
Microsoft announced the news earlier today. The release will coincide with the launch of the Lumia 930 that will become the company's flagship.
"Microsoft will make updates available for the Operating System, including security updates, for a minimum of 36 months after the lifecycle start date," wrote the company. "These updates will be incremental, with each update built on the update that preceded it."
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"Customers need to install each update in order to remain supported. The distribution of these incremental updates may be controlled by the mobile operator or the phone manufacturer from which you purchased your phone, and installation will require that your phone have any prior updates," they added.
The update availability will vary from region to region, according to Microsoft.
A Windows 8.1 update for PC and tablets rolled out at the beginning of last month.
It is 2-3GB in size and will improve various features on the latest iteration of Microsoft's flagship computer operating system.
It is available for free for all current 8.1 users. Windows Vice President Joe Belfiore discussed some of the new features that the update brings at Microsoft's annual Build conference in San Francisco last week. It will repair issues with the keyboard and mouse, according to the report.
Other changes are expected to maximize the system's functionality while not diminishing the touch focus that Microsoft has marketed with that unifies its tablet and PC lines. It will help the software identify what type of device it is being used on and will switch modes based on that.
For example, if it's used on a tablet it will jump to Metro mode which is touch-based and will go into PC mode if it's on a desktop.
Windows 8.1 brings back some Window users favorites such as the classic Start button found on many builds of the system. It also features some improvements to the touchscreen keyboard, optimization for cheaper tablets smaller than 10 and 11 inches, and the ability to view multiple apps on the same screen.
