Get GDR3 today: Microsoft announces Windows Phone Preview for Developers

This morn, in add-on to announcing Windows Phone 8 GDR3 (or just 'Update 3' every bit information technology is at present being chosen), Microsoft has finally detailed their enthusiast update program and then that owners of Windows Phone eight devices can get the latest version of the Bone without having to look for OEMs or carriers. While technically designated for "developers", anyone with a Windows Phone 8 device and a few minutes of their time can participate.

The program, detailed on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, will allow those who see Microsoft'due south loose standards to update to GDR3 starting later today. You read that right. The bespeak of the program is to allow developers to try out their apps and optimize their lawmaking before the new Os goes live to millions of Windows Telephone users, in add-on to giving feedback to Microsoft.

Unofficially, information technology is meant to allow anyone to update their phones over-the-air to the latest version of Windows Telephone viii, without carrier interference.

Later today, current registered developers can head the Windows Phone Preview for Developers folio (programmer.windowsphone.com) to go more information on how to enroll. Uses who accept the terms and conditions tin then begin to receive the update through the Windows Phone Store—a method that is very similar to how Windows eight.1's preview was given to the public earlier this summertime. Users volition install the new Windows Phone Preview for Developers app, which will allow them to manage the Bone updates right from the phone.

Anyone can participate

Although the plan is designated for "developers" in reality, whatsoever current Windows Phone user, including the "enthusiast" oversupply, tin participate. That's because in add-on to registered developers (who've paid the previous $99 registration fee, or the more current $19 offer), anyone who is too signed upwards for the gratuitous Windows Phone App Studio plan (apps.windowsstore.com) can also participate.

While the $xix registered developer program allows you to unlock up to three devices, the gratuitous App Studio programme allows you lot to unlock merely 1. So if you only take one Windows Phone, so you can participate in the Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update preview like anyone else.

If that sounds similar the "enthusiast update programme" that Microsoft talked about in June 2022, you lot would be correct.

Any catches?

There are only a few caveats users confront by participating

This only includes the OS update, non device specific firmware i.e. this is not Nokia's 'Bittersweet shimmer'; users should remain with their current firmware and will not lose information technology
Yous tin can only move forward, at that place is no "going back" to earlier releases
Y'all need at to the lowest degree OS version 8.0.10322.71 to participate
You lot will continue to receive the official update (and firmware) when they become publicly available, so there is no missing out of features, nor volition yous ever be behind
This may void your device warranty

Information technology's important to note that there are no new API changes for GDR3, and then developers won't accept too much work to get their apps fix for the new Bone. Things like optimizing for 1080P displays is really the only big changes for developers.

Nosotros'll of course cover this program every bit information technology goes live later on today.

All in all though, Microsoft has seemingly delivered on their promise of a method for enthusiasts to never miss an Bone update.

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