Last week, Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8.1 to the world.Microsoft also announced that the Preview for Developers Program will go live for 8.1 "sometime in April". That program will allow you to install the 8.1 update early on any Windows Phone 8 device. Every. Single. One.
What exactly is the 'Preview for Developers' Program?
Back in June 2012, Microsoft revealed plans for the ‘enthusiast program’ for Windows Phone fans. It was during the Windows Phone 8.0 announcement and many people here on this site were tantalized by the prospect of getting updates earlier and faster than carriers.
That’s what the Program is for. It’s labeled ‘Preview for Developers’ but in reality, it’s for anyone with a Windows Phone 8 device, as the barriers to participate are extremely low (more on that below). Microsoft is well aware that carriers tend to drag their feet on updates, so this is their way around that roadblock. It’s a sly move as Microsoft actually wants you to use this Program.
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Will it run on my...
Yes! Lumia 520, Lumia 525, Lumia 620, Lumia 1520, HTC 8X, Samsung ATIV whatever...you can 'Preview' 8.1 on all of these phones and get all the same features, even Cortana. Cortana is only available in the US? Change your region or just use the default Bing search like now.
Is this a hack or will it damage my phone?
No, this is not a hack. It’s still an over-the-air update that is pushed by Microsoft. Technically speaking, things could go wrong, just like with any OS update. In reality, we have had zero complaints or problems reported to us with the previous Preview for Developers. Literally zero. Even Microsoft confirms the same, with almost 185,000 people participating in the program. So yes, it’s safe.
How do you signup?
If you’re already a Windows Phone developer, then you don’t need to do anything except download the app (Preview for Developers). If you’re just a regular person without an ounce of coding skill, then you can sign up for Microsoft’s App Studio: appstudio.windowsphone.com for free and then sign into your microsoft acc. After youve signed up ,sign into the app.
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Just sign into app http://studio.microsoft.com with your Microsoft ID and let them register your email address. That’s it.
App Link : http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=178ac8a1-6519-4a0b-960c-038393741e96
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Now that you are a registered ‘developer’ with Microsoft, you need to download the above app to your phone. This app, published by Microsoft, lets your phone register with Microsoft so that they can send you the OS bits.
Run the app, sign in with the same Microsoft ID you registered with App Studio and check the box that says ‘Enable Preview for Developers’. Likewise, you can always uncheck that box and unregister that device.
When will you get Windows Phone 8.1 Preview for Developers?
Microsoft has not announced a specific date, just a timeframe of April- April 14th. All we can say: pay attention to our site as we’ll be the first to tell you when it is live.
Once it’s live, you head into your device Settings > Phone Update > Check for updates. The OS update will begin downloading immediately, and the program will walk you through the process (note: it’s the same process as every other Windows Phone over-the-air update).
You’ll want to have a battery with at least 50% charge and have access to Wi-Fi, as OS updates can be large – too large for some carriers. Also, you should have at least 1 GB of storage space available, as that update has to be downloaded and unpacked somewhere!
For more info : http://www.wpcentral.com/how-sign-windows-phone-81-preview-developers
I pretty think microsoft are now running and ruling the world with their reliable gadgets. I'm a big fan of them The have bought Motorola company too!
It comes no surprise when you sees everything made by them