Microsoft Assures Next OS Upgrade For Windows Phone 8 Devices: Could Windows Phone 9 Be On Cards?

Over the week, a plethora of companies made big announcements at the MWC 2013 tech show in Barcelona. In the meantime, Microsoft has revealed some positive news regarding the future of Windows Phone 8.

According to PC Mag, Microsoft's senior marketing manager Greg Sullivan has stated that Windows Phone 8 devices will eventually be upgradeable to the next major version of the Windows Phone OS, presumably Windows Phone 9. This is an important statement as many Windows Phone 7 were disappointed to know that their handsets will never get an upgrade to Windows Phone 8.

Though Microsoft has released Windows Phone 7.8 Refresh for those smartphones that are based on Windows Phone 7, it is obvious that it will not have the same benefits as WP8, which is shipping with the new hardware. It indicates that Microsoft could not do any justice for the consumers with old hardware.

But, this will no more be the case as WP8 have been claimed to be eligible for future upgrades, hence, the consumers who but Windows Phone 8 based handsets will not be left out by the software giant. Whatever it is, it remains to be seen whether the next version of the Windows Phone platform will be known as Windows Phone 9 or not.

Anyways, the rollout of upgrade will not be a bad strategy as the Windows Phone marketshare is dwarfed by that of iOS and Android. Moreover, though there is increased competition from Ubuntu Touch and Firefox OS the confirmation that Windows Phone 8 will be upgraded in future might inspire more confidence among consumers.

Further, recent jobs listings for Microsoft have hinted that the next version of Windows, codenamed Windows Blue, is going to bring its mobile and desktop/tablet operating systems closer together.

As of now, there is no detail on when the new version of the Microsoft platform will be released, however, rumors claim that Windows Phone 9 might be completed in Q3 2013.