Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update being internally tested, will bring notification centre: Report

While Microsoft is rumoured to be testing various versions of Windows Phone 8.1 internally for a while now, there's also buzz that the company is working on a less elaborate GDR3 update.

A new report by Nokia Power User claims that Microsoft is testing the GDR3 software update for Windows Phone 8 at Nokia India. The rumoured update is also expected to include the Notification centre, which was expected to be a part of Windows 8.1, notes the report.

The report also suggests that another feature dubbed as Appetite would also be included in the update. However, no details related to Appetite have been revealed in the report.

It is believed that the GDR3 update for Windows Phone 8 will enable support for quad-core processors and full-HD displays on the Windows Phone platform. The Windows Phone GDR3 update is expected to bring an additional column of Live Tiles on the Start screen, rotation lock, minor UI tweaks and a new Driving Mode option. It is not clear if the company will be pushing out the GDR3 update prior to the Windows Phone 8.1 release.

Earlier, a report by Windows Phone Central had cited an app developer who spotted an unrevealed Windows Phone OS version on his server logs. The developer claimed that his app Love Wallpaper HD was installed on phones running various Windows Phones OS versions 8.10.12073.0, 8.10.12086.0, 8.10.12100.0 and 8.10.12102.0. The highest version of Windows Phone that is reportedly available right now is 8.0.10328.78 and a higher version being spotted hinted that Microsoft could be testing the all new Windows Phone 8.1 internally.

However, not much can be said about the features and the time frame of the update as Microsoft has not confirmed anything till now.

Nokia is also rumoured to be working on a phablet code-named as 'Bandit' which is expected to include a full-HD (1080p) display and is likely to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. However, the device may not be unveiled before Microsoft rolls out the GDR3 update to Windows Phone devices.