[ladzoppelin]

Actually they offer an app that lets you install updates directly from Microsoft , months before Nokia releases the update. Once Nokia releases its version of the update, it automatically uninstalls the "beta" MS updates. It allowed me to run Windows phone Black update like 4 months before Nokia released them.

The app is called "Preview for Developers" and it makes you sign into your live account.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/preview-for-deve...

[rdudek]

Don't you need a dev account or unlocked dev phone in order to use this?

[nivla]

You can go here [1] and select "Register as a developer with App Studio" - Free, and create apps to run on your own Windows Phones

[1] http://developer.windowsphone.com/en-us/featured/devpreview

[y2bd]

Yep. Obtaining a dev account isn't terribly difficult (you can get one for free if you use MS's "App Studio" program) and dev unlocking your phone directly follows from that, but it's definitely not a perfect solution.

[ladzoppelin]

I think you just have to sign into your live account. Its completely free and took 5 minutes to get install/initiated. After you install , just check updates like you normally would and the new ones should appear. April 8 is when the new 8.1 will appear for anyone with this app installed and registered.

[Istof]

WP8.1 is apparently not available yet using this method (I am offered v8.0.10521.155)

[disturbedfood]

The developer preview launches April 10.

http://blog.gsmarena.com/windows-phone-8-1-preview-launches-...