<p>Microsoft will release an update of Windows Phone 8 operating system with new features, which could see the software giant making inroads into the much promising phablets market in emerging economies.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The update will allow bigger start screen and better accessibility options on mobile handsets.<br /><br />Announcing the third update, Microsoft today said that new features would pave the way for future devices with 5 or 6 inch touch screens.<br /><br />Phablets are smart-phones which are slightly bigger, usually with a screen size of 5-7 inches. They are popular in emerging markets like India and are even expected to eat into the market share of tablets in coming years, according to technology research firm IDC.<br /><br />More than 3 million phablets were shipped to India during the second quarter of this year<br /><br />The update will work for 1080p HD displays and will make the devices more personal by porting jumbo-sized Start screens with room for six Live Tiles across instead of four, the company said on is blogpost<br /><br />"Windows Phone 8 Update 3 will roll out to existing phones over the next several months, bringing with it a bevy of improvements and new capabilities," it added.<br /><br />According to IDC data, the sales of phablets grew 17 times and the phablet share rose to 30 per cent of the smartphone market in the second quarter of 2013.<br /><br />In India, local vendors like Micromax, Karbonn and Lava have outshined global leaders Samsung and Nokia in the smartphone segment mainly on the back of large screen devices.<br /><br />"The key for growth in this market, as with most emerging markets, is a low-priced phone equipped with a large screen and dual SIM slots," says an IDC analyst.<br /><br />Nokia, which is gaining foothold in smartphone market with Windows based Lumia range of handsets, is also rumoured to launch its first phablet at Abu Dhabi event later this month.<br /><br />The latest Windows Phone 8 update would include features such as customizable Driving Mode and better accessibility options.<br /><br />Microsoft also announced a programme -- Windows Phone Preview for Developers -- which gives app builders early access to its operating system updates so they can verify that their apps work as expected on the new code.</p>
<p>Microsoft will release an update of Windows Phone 8 operating system with new features, which could see the software giant making inroads into the much promising phablets market in emerging economies.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The update will allow bigger start screen and better accessibility options on mobile handsets.<br /><br />Announcing the third update, Microsoft today said that new features would pave the way for future devices with 5 or 6 inch touch screens.<br /><br />Phablets are smart-phones which are slightly bigger, usually with a screen size of 5-7 inches. They are popular in emerging markets like India and are even expected to eat into the market share of tablets in coming years, according to technology research firm IDC.<br /><br />More than 3 million phablets were shipped to India during the second quarter of this year<br /><br />The update will work for 1080p HD displays and will make the devices more personal by porting jumbo-sized Start screens with room for six Live Tiles across instead of four, the company said on is blogpost<br /><br />"Windows Phone 8 Update 3 will roll out to existing phones over the next several months, bringing with it a bevy of improvements and new capabilities," it added.<br /><br />According to IDC data, the sales of phablets grew 17 times and the phablet share rose to 30 per cent of the smartphone market in the second quarter of 2013.<br /><br />In India, local vendors like Micromax, Karbonn and Lava have outshined global leaders Samsung and Nokia in the smartphone segment mainly on the back of large screen devices.<br /><br />"The key for growth in this market, as with most emerging markets, is a low-priced phone equipped with a large screen and dual SIM slots," says an IDC analyst.<br /><br />Nokia, which is gaining foothold in smartphone market with Windows based Lumia range of handsets, is also rumoured to launch its first phablet at Abu Dhabi event later this month.<br /><br />The latest Windows Phone 8 update would include features such as customizable Driving Mode and better accessibility options.<br /><br />Microsoft also announced a programme -- Windows Phone Preview for Developers -- which gives app builders early access to its operating system updates so they can verify that their apps work as expected on the new code.</p>