Microsoft’s next big release of its Windows Phone OS has been slated for the ‘holidays’, which in Australian speak means roughly Christmas time. Another minor update will be released before then under the code name of ‘Blue’. These were both confirmed through Window’s Phone job postings on Microsoft’s website.
The Windows Phone ‘Blue’ update will be a universal update for the Windows Phone, Windows RT and Windows 8 platforms to further unify them with rumours of a new kernel. One part of the job listing reads:
We’re looking for an excellent, experienced SDET to join the Core Experience team in Windows Sustained Engineering (WinSE). The Core Experience features are the centerpiece of the new Windows UI, representing most of what customers touch and see in the OS, including: the start screen; application lifecycle; windowing; and personalization. Windows Blue promises to build and improve upon these aspects of the OS, enhancing ease of use and the overall user experience on devices and PCs worldwide.
It doesn’t give too much away, however, we can be fairly certain a main feature of the update will be to do with the UI and how users interact with their computer/phone.
There isn’t any other details for the big update at the end of the year other than the date. I’m personally hoping to see some improvements in the notifications area and to be able to close an app from the multi-tasking menu. Microsoft recently released “Portico,” the first big WP8 update and is planning other improvements under a broad effort known as “Apollo Plus.”
