I have been watching this thread for months, looking for news about the official HTC update to Windows 8.1 for my HTC 8X.
I don't think it is coming.
In a fit of pique, and against my better judgement, I decided to try the Developer Preview version.
How pleased I am I did!
For anyone who may be hesitant: Don't be. It is painless and easy.
Apparently, I can't post links. But it is easy to find a how-to with a search in Bing.
After signing into the Developer Program with my Microsoft account on the desktop and then switching to my phone to install the Preview for Developers app, the phone soon informed me that there were:
1. 3 updates--about 20 minutes
2. 1 more update--about 10 minutes
3. WindowsPhone 8.1 Update--about 25 minutes
4. 1 last update--about 10 minutes
And I now have a brand new phone:
1. Drop down menu for notifications and quick settings--battery %, at a glance; orientation lock, a slide away.
2. Folders--a revelation in Microsoft's implementation
3. Cortana, UK version--which looks as if it may actually be useful.
Together, and with other improvements, they have removed all the previous limitations of 8.0. 8.1 is much more than a .1 update.
I was considering going back to Android or iOS. But not now. Now I think I have the best mobile operating system on the market.
Do not hesitate. Take the plunge.