Microsoft announced in early October that the Windows 10 Mobile rollout for existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices would kick off in December. But, with less than two weeks to go before the end of the year, the software giant now says that the much-awaited software upgrades will not be available until later than expected.
Microsoft expects Windows 10 Mobile software upgrades to be made available starting "early next year" for "select existing Windows 8 and 8.1 phones". That is, assuming everything goes according to plan.
Microsoft has not said why it has delayed the Windows 10 Mobile rollout, but it is likely that this is due to bugs in the smartphone operating system, which also plague Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL devices. The two flagships were supposed to get an update to fix various issues, but Microsoft pulled it shortly after releasing it because, well, it was buggy too. A version of that update that actually works well is now available, however.
Microsoft could have probably released the software updates on time in a different time of the year, but, as we all know, late-December is not when productivity in the office is at its peak. The software giant has said that it will not release any new builds for those enrolled in the Windows Insider program until 2016, so that too plays a part in this.
Impatient users who do not want to wait for the official updates to be made available can install preview builds of Windows 10 Mobile by enrolling in the aforementioned testing program. Opting for the Slow Ring will give more stable builds, which will be better suited for devices used as daily drivers.
As far as which Windows Phone 8.1 devices will get Windows 10 Mobile first, among them are newer smartphones like Lumia 950, Lumia 640 XL and Lumia 535. You can see the complete list here.
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