Windows Phone 8 - What we know so far

Today Microsoft announcement Windows Phone 8 (formerly codenamed Apollo) during the Windows Phone 2012 Summit. While the software giant didn’t get into too much detail about their mobile operating system, here's what we know so far about Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft revealed 8 new features of Windows Phone 8, giving us our first idea of what we can expect from the platform

Support for Multicore processors

Windows Phone 8 brings support for multi-core processors. While Windows Phone 7 worked very well on its single core processor the new platform brings several new features and improvements which will run best on multiple cores. We can expect dual-core and quad-core handsets in the market and theoretical support for up to 64 cores. While a 64-core processor is unlikely in the near future we can at least expect a dual-core Windows Phone in our very near future.

New screen resolutions

Windows Phones will bring support for three screen resolutions – WVGA (480×800 pixels), WXGA (1280×768 pixels) and 720p (1290×720 pixels). Apparently a lower 640x480 pixel resolution was planned but later dropped in favor of making it easier for developers.

Internet Explorer (IE) 10

Windows Phone 8 will feature IE10 2hich will share much of its code with its desktop counterpart. This will allow the mobile browser to take advantage of many of the desktop versions security features including Phishing detection and Smartscreen filter.

Unsafe websites will be stored and updated in a database allowing Windows Phones to block users from accessing them, similar to their desktop counterparts.

MicroSD storage

Windows Phone 8 will bring support for up to 64GB of microSD storage. Windows Phone manufactures can choose to include microSD card slots with their devices allowing users to transfer data between their phones and computers and even side-load apps.

The updated start screen

Windows Phone 8 will take full advantage of your screen real-estate. Instead of being restricted to the side of your display the start screen will now span the entire display.

Tiled can be resized to three different sizes. While the current regular and large (double wide) sizes will be retained, Microsoft has also reduced a new smaller tile size. This allows you to store up to four tiles in place of one regular tile.

In Windows Phone 8 third party app developers will be able to take advantage of the double wide tile format and design how it should appear – A feature that was previously limited to OEMs and operators.

While Windows Phone 7.x devices wont receive the Windows Phone 8 update, the new start screen will apparently be available.

NFC Support

Windows Phone 8 will have Near Field Communication (NFC) support which will allows Microsoft to implement mobile payments. Microsoft will implement APIs which will allow third parties to add their own security features to NFC based mobile payment. 

Microsoft will also implement their own mobile wallet with Windows Phone 8. The wallet allows users to store credit card information, library cards, passes and coupons. 

By making use of tap-to-pay and integrating it with existing apps, partners like chase can implement apps which will be recognized and used by the wallet to make payments like in-app purchases directly on your device.

Improved Multitasking and VoIP integration

By deeply integrating VoIP into Windows Phone 8, users can now experience VoIP calling just as they would experience a normal phone call. You can receive calls or messages on VoIP apps like Skype which will be a core part of Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft has even expanded these APIs to other VoIP app developers.

Enterprise Support

Windows Phone 8 will come with excellent enterprise support. Network administrators will no longer be limited to deploying apps through the Windows Phone Marketplace. Windows Phone 8 will allows enterprise apps to be managed by the administrator.

Features like Secure Boot and Bitlocker Encryption will be a part of Windows Phone 8 making it a very business friendly platform.

New apps like Company Hub will allows companies to develop and use apps within that organization to best suit their needs.

Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 will share much of the same native code. This includes the file system, networking, security, multimedia, device drivers and graphics. Because of this Windows developers can no easily port applications to Windows Phone.

By implementing native code iOS and Android app developers can also quickly port their apps to the Windows Phone platform.



Windows Phone 8 will also have great gaming capabilities. With Xbox Live integration, the platform will bring support from gaming partners like Havok, Audiokinetic, FMod and Autodesk we will see realistic lifelike graphics in the next generation of Windows Phone games.



Game publishers like Gameloft and Bigfish have committed to bring popular gaming titles to the new platform which ensures a great new collection of games coming to Windows Phone 8. Plus we will still have all the current Windows Phone 7 titles available.

Microsoft has designed Windows Phone 8 to be an integral part of the Windows family. With a shared Windows kernel, improved UI and features along with Enterprise support Windows Phone 8 promises to take a huge leap forward.

Windows Phone 8 is expected to land sometime this fall and with new devices from Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei users who prefer something other than iOS or Android with have a robust powerful operating system with a wide array of devices to select from.