It looks like Windows Phones are taking a step toward going large. Microsoft has announced an upcoming Windows Phone 8 update that will bring support for higher resolution screens that will likely pave the way for "phablets" from its hardware partners.

Unfortunately Microsoft was not able to give any specifics on the mater but, in a blog post on Monday revealed that it's trying to adapt its signature "Live Tiles" interface on a 1080p HD display. This is typically what is found on 5 and 6-inch oversized phones like the Galaxy Note 3 and other phablet devices. The new display would be able to show six tiles rather than four.

USA Today reports that last month, Microsoft purchased Nokia's handset business in a $7 billion deal. This means that its likely the new Windows phablet will probably come in the form of a large-screen Nokia Lumia device.

As Samsung's lineup of larger-display phones increases in popularity, other smartphone makers will need to adapt to the change in the market. Recent reports from Apple analysts indicate that the company is working on a larger display version of the iPhone coming in 2014 on the company's next installment of its flagship lineup of smartphones, the iPhone 6. Researcher IDC said it expects phablets to start taking market share from smaller-sized tablets in the very near future.

The update won't just improve the display. The Windows 8 operating system update will be rolling out to existing handsets over the course of the next few months. It will come with a new "driving mode" and improved accessibility features, manual control over closing apps, Rotation lock to keep screen orientation fixed horizontally or vertically and new storage management settings. The update will also permit new hardware with added power from Qualcomm's 8974 quad-core processor.

The update is the third from Microsoft this year and is designed to get the operating system ready for phablets as well as address several user complaints.