There has been some controversy about the time scales for the next major release for Windows Phone and its counterpart for Windows 8.

According to Mary Jo Foley Windows Phone Blue will come after the Windows 8 release, which according to rumours is set to be released this summer.

Now a job posting by Microsoft for a Software Development Engineer in Test has confirmed that Microsoft is targeting the Holidays for the next major release, the usual pattern for the Windows Phone team.

The relevant excerpt says:

This is a great time to join as we’re completing our current release are getting ready for our next release targeting the holiday of this year and we’re chartered with keeping the momentum for Windows Phone by bringing new killer devices and delightful user experiences.

Again according to Mary Jo Foley we can expect two minor updates, the so-called GDR2 and GDR3 releases of Windows Phone to hit before this, likely providing some desperately needed bug fixes.

The real message is that the Windows Phone team is still following their yearly cycle, somewhat independently of the Windows desktop team, despite both using the same components these days. Of course on this occasion we have been reassured by Greg Sullivan that our current Windows Phone 8 devices will get these updates. Maybe Microsoft will finally get that “beta program for enthusiasts” rolling.

With the next major release around 8-9 months away, it seems likely features like 1080p screen support will likely have to wait till then. The interesting question is if Nokia will release high end Windows Phones before Microsoft releases the next major update, or as seems likely we will have to wait for the next major release for the holidays also.