Windows Phone 8 launching 29 October, just after Windows 8
Microsoft has set a date for Windows Phone 8! But could Apple crash the party?
Windows Phone 8 has finally set a date for its launch -- 29 October. The software giant has sent out colourful invitations to an event in San Francisco that will see the tile-based update officially go live.
Those of you waking up with a pit of sadness in your stomachs because you don't know when the next version of Microsoft's mobile operating system is officially out can finally rest easy. The date is remarkably close to the launch of Windows 8, which happens on 26 October.
Unfortunately, because no existing Windows Phone devices will be updated to Windows Phone 8, we won't see any software updates winging their way to mobiles on that date.
The first phones powered by the new operating system will be coming out in early November, according to reports. Among those devices are the 4.7-inch Nokia Lumia 920 and the colourful HTC 8X.
It's shaping up to be a merry month of Microsoft, but could Apple crash the party? A persistent rumour suggests we may see an iPad mini put on sale this month, with invites to an Apple bash tipped to be sent out on 10 October. If a smaller iPad were to be released at the same time as the new Windows software, Apple could easily nick Microsoft's thunder.
It's a shame that Microsoft doesn't appear to be throwing a UK event to coincide with the San Francisco hoe-down -- here's hoping the British launch of Windows Phone 8 doesn't suffer any delays.
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