Windows Phone 8.1 Miracast Support Has Hardware Limitation

Earlier in the week Microsoft finally unveiled Windows Phone 8.1, the major OS update we had all been waiting for. There were a lot of rumors and speculation about the features expected to come with the update, now that everything is out in the open, we just have to stay put until summer because that’s when Windows Phone 8.1 drops. Among the various improvements and features is Miracast support. While it will make beaming content to a TV and other gadgets easy, there is a hardware limitation to keep in mind.

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore, who runs the team that does Windows Phone product definition and design, was asked on Twitter if Lumia 1520 will support Miracast sharing after its updated to Windows Phone 8.1. Belfiore replied that while WP8.1 does support Miracast, “it will require new HW.” He said that maybe the Nokia Lumia 1520 “is new enough,” but adds that “most WP8 hw’ won’t be.

While Belfiore’s statement rings true for the entire Windows Phone ecosystem, Nokia has already detailed what features owners of its handsets will receive after the update drops. The manufacturer confirms that Lumia 1520, Lumia 930 and the Verizon exclusive Nokia Icon will all support Miracast sharing after being updated to Windows Phone 8.1. Users on older devices may very well be out of luck.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Microsoft, windows phone 8.1