Microsoft targets holidays for next Windows Phone update

Microsoft doesn't expect to release its next update to Windows Phone 8 before the holiday shopping season, according to a recent job posting.

Usually pretty tight-lipped about its Windows Phone product updates, Microsoft tipped its hand in a job posting late last week for a software development engineer for phone testing.

"This is a great time to join as we're completing our current release [and] are getting ready for our next release targeting the holiday of this year and we're chartered with keeping the momentum for Windows Phone by bringing new killer devices and delightful user experiences," the post reads. "There are enormous growth opportunities in this role and organization."

The post refers to Windows Phone as "one of the most exciting challenges in Microsoft" but offers no clue as to what new features users could expect at the end of the year.

CNET has contacted Microsoft for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

Windows Phone is considered key to Microsoft's mobile strategy, as well as Bing's mobile market share. However, Windows Phone has been slow to catch on with consumers, a majority of whom continue to snap up iPhones and Android devices.

Microsoft job posts often give hints at the company's product plans. Another ad posted earlier this month referred to "Windows Blue," the alleged codename for the next wave of Windows-related operating system and services updates from Microsoft.

(Via WMPoweruser.com)