Since it’s release, the Windows Phone has been a closed platform and just like any other operating system, you have to buy the hardware to use the software, much like Apple and iOS, if you want to use the software, you have to purchase an Apple related product. But starting with Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft has decided to make the OS a slightly more open.

At MWC (Mobile World Congress) today Microsoft revealed that Windows 8.1 will be able to be flashed onto Android devices, this means that no more will you have to buy a Windows Phone if you’re interested in Windows 8.1, meaning you can now simply convert your existing Android device into a Windows Phone.

But unfortunately there is a catch, you can only flash Windows 8.1 onto your device if its running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon , or LTE SoCs. So in other words you won’t be able to flash the software onto newer Android devices as they are now all running Snapdragon 800 SoC and WP 8.1 can only be installed on Snapdragon 200, 400 and 400 LTE. Microsoft has also said that dual booting will not be allowed, so if you decide to install Windows 8.1 then unfortunately you are going to be stuck with it.

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Now that Microsoft has announced it, its pretty obvious that they are going to be targeting the Android market now by giving existing Android users the choice to install Windows 8.1 on their device and also too entice new customers with the prospect that they’ll be able to use Windows 8.1 on their new shiny Android device.

Update 1: Just to clarify, Windows Phone 8.1 is adding support for Snapdragon 200, 400 and 400 LTE Android handsets and is only for OEMs.