Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 may arrive on October 8th for developers

We recently reported that Microsoft was already working on Update 2 (GDR2) for Windows Phone 8.1. Now a tweet from a from a contributor to a Polish Windows Phone blog indicates that the GDR2 update will be rolling out as a Preview for Developers on October 8th.

Windows Phone 8.1 Update 2 maybe coming soon

Currently developers are being treated to Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 (GDR1), which brings several enhancements to OEMs along with a few new features like Live Folders and Cortana enhancements. However it seems that Microsoft may already be working on Update 2 (GDR2) for Windows Phone 8.1.

Nokia Lumia Black update starts rolling out; here's whats new

Nokia has announced that they have starting rolling out the Lumia Black software update. The Nokia Lumia 1020 and Nokia Lumia 925 will be the first Windows Phone 8 models to receive the update with the rest of the Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 lineup to receive it in the weeks ahead.

HTC 8X for AT&T receives GDR2 software update

The Windows Phone 8 GDR2 software update has reportedly started reolling out to HTC 8X devices on the AT&T network starting Thursday. The update which is being offered over-the-air (OTA) is around 207MB in size and brings the 8.0.10327.77 software version.

The GDR2 update brings support for LTE bands 2 and 5 along with enabling the FM radio on your Windows Phone 8 device. You will have to plugin your earphones in order to make use of the FM radio. You

Nokia Lumia 810 for T-Mobile receives GDR2 and Amber software updates

The discontinued yet popular Nokia Lumia 810 for T-Mobile is now receiving the GDR2 (Microsoft) and Amber (Nokia) updates alongside the budget friendly Nokia Lumia 521. The GDR2 (10327/8) update from Microsoft will bring new features like FM radio, call and SMS filters, improvements for Xbox Music and Internet Explorer, Data Sense, a resolution to the Other storage issue and more. Meanwhile the Amber component of the update comes from Nokia and adds new Nokia based features like Smart Cam, double-tap to wake, flip to silence and many more improvements.

Nokia Lumia 521 for T-Mobile receives GDR2 and Amber software updates

The budget friendly Nokia Lumia 521 for T-Mobile is now receiving the GDR2 (Microsoft) and Amber (Nokia) updates alongside the discontinued yet popular Nokia Lumia 810. The GDR2  (10327/8) update from Microsoft will bring new features like FM radio, call and SMS filters, improvements for Xbox Music and Internet Explorer, Data Sense, a resolution to the Other storage issue and more. Meanwhile the Amber component of the update comes from Nokia and adds new Nokia based features like Smart Cam, double-tap to wake, flip to silence and many more improvements.

Nokia Lumia 928 for Verizon receives GDR2 and Amber software updates

The Nokia Lumia 928 for Verizon is reportedly receiving the GDR2 (Microsoft) and Amber (Nokia) updates, alongside the global Nokia Lumia 920 which also started receiving the updates today. The update brings the new camera functions, FM radio support, Glance settings and the Other storage fix to the Verizon flagship Lumia. The update is also rumored to enable group messaging, something that has irritated Verizon customers for some time now.

Nokia Lumia 920 receives GDR2 and Amber software updates

Nokia Lumia 920 users around the world are reporting that they are now receiving the eagerly awaited GDR2 (Microsoft) and Amber (Nokia) updates on their devices. The first reports of the update availability is coming in from users in Denmark, India, Sweden, Spain and Australia, and other regions are expected to receive the latest version of Windows Phone on their devices shortly.

Nokia updates Display+Touch for Lumia WP8 devices with new peek feature

Nokia has updated their Display+Touch system setting for their Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices to version 1.6.2.16 which brings support for quick mode under Glance settings along with some bug fixes and performance improvements.

You can download the update directly on your device through the Windows Phone Store or by using the link which follows:

Windows Phone 'Amber' update demonstrated on Nokia Lumia 920

We recently learned that the Windows Phone Amber (GRD2) update maybe headed to devices in August. Now a leaked video shows an early build of the Amber update running on the Nokia Lumia 920 which shows the new on-screen clock which is displayed when the device is sleeping. Other features including double tap to wake, flip-to-silent and the ability to add wallpers from SkyDrive are also demonstrated.

Nokia Spain claims Amber update coming in August

Nokia Spain has sent out a tweet claiming that the Windows Phone Amber (GDR2) update will be coming to Windows Phone 8 devices in August. The Amber update will unlock the FM tuner, bring Datasense to all handsets, and improve the Music Hub to make it easier to select and download your favorite tunes from Xbox Music.

The camera is also expected to be improved as Nokia brings more of its Symbian camera enhancements over to its Lumia Windows Phone devices. The Amber update is already available on the Nokia Lumia 925 and will bring all its advantages across the other devices when it arrives.

What new features will we get with Windows Phone GDR2 and Lumia Amber updates

In this article we hope to offer an in depth guide to the new features and improvements offered in the Windows Phone 8 GDR2 update and the Nokia Lumia Amber updates.Both the GDR2 and Lumia Amber updates have started rolling out, but are not yet available for all devices. The majority of Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to receive the update before the end of September.

Microsoft's GDR2 update is the second major update for Windows Phone 8, following on from GDR1 (Portico) earlier this year, and is expected to be followed by GDR3 later this year. In terms of new features, GDR2 is a relatively small update, but it does add a number of important enablers, some of which Nokia has used in its Lumia Amber update to add new features.

Windows Phone 8 GDR2 update brings CardDAV and CalDAV support

Google recently announced that they would end support for Exchange Active Sync for GMail and Google Calendar for free users. Instead they wanted to support open standards like CardDAV and CalDAV instead of Microsoft's proprietary option.

Microsoft decided to put an end to the standoff and promised to add support for open standards if they were given the time. Google then extended support for Exchange Activesync until July 31st.

Now it looks like Microsoft will have support for CardDAV and CalDAV in their upcoming GDR2 update for Windows Phone 8.

Windows Phone 8 GDR2 beta currently being tested

Back in December Nokia started rolling out the Portico (build 10211) software update for the Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T. This update later continued to roll out for the Nokia Lumia 810, Nokia Lumia 820 and HTC 8X devices through various carriers. This update was internally referred to as GDR1 (General Distribution Release".

Now it looks like Microsoft may be readying another update before they eventually release Windows Blue, and it is known as GDR2.