Microsoft is planning to launch two new Windows Phone 8.1 devices shortly. Sources familiar with the company’s plans tell The Verge that Microsoft devices chief Stephen Elop revealed both handsets during an internal company meeting this week. Elop showed off what he described as a “selfie phone” during the presentation, alongside video teasers of the two handsets. Microsoft’s selfie phone was previously revealed as codename Superman, a handset with a 5-megapixel forward-facing camera and 4.7-inch display.
The second handset is codenamed “Tesla,” and recently appeared in leaked images. Elop described the Tesla handset as an “affordable high-end phone” with a PureView camera. Tesla will likely debut as a Lumia 720 replacement, and it mark a new effort by Microsoft to push PureView down to even lower price points. The handset looks similar to the squared Lumia 930, but we understand it will be thinner and less bulky.
Elop’s revelation at Microsoft’s annual company meeting event indicates that the device launches are imminent. It also comes just days after Microsoft’s Jo Harlow revealed, in an internal memo, that the company is planning to launch “other high-end products…very soon.” Microsoft is expected to provide Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 to developers and device makers shortly, an update that includes hardware and feature improvements ready for new devices. Alongside Microsoft’s own devices, HTC is also reportedly planning to launch a Windows Phone version of its One M8 in August on Verizon.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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