Microsoft announced the complete reworked, stylish and claimed to be most advanced mobile OS, the Windows Phone 8 at an event in San Francisco. This OS will be available to new handsets later from this year. Most new features of Windows Phone 8 comes from the Microsoft PC OS Windows, the most successful and powerful operating system. The Mobile OS is powered by the same core technologies that power Windows 8. Thus making it easy for developers to build apps for the platform.
Windows Phone 8 will have better networking, security, media and web browser technology, and a common file system as the PC OS. That translates into better performance, more features, and new opportunities for app developers and hardware makers to innovate faster. Some of the highlighted features –
- Multi-core processor support: The most wanted feature introduced on Windows Phone 8, as other mobile OS Apple iOS and Android OS already have multi core capabilities. Windows core now provides support for multiple cores—so except some cool hardware’s from the makers.
- Bigger, sharper screens: Windows Phone 8 supports two new screen resolutions—1280×768 and 1280×720, opening the door to amazing new handsets with high-definition 720p displays.
- More flexible storage: Windows Phone 8 supports removable MicroSD cards, a feature missing from its old OS. So now users can stuff their phone with extra photos, music, and whatever else is important to them, and then easily move it all onto their PC.
- NFC wireless sharing: Windows Phone 8 now supports the NFC technology, this emerging wireless technology lets phones share things over short distances. In Windows Phone 8, it helps make sharing photos, Office docs, and contact info easier by just tapping the phone to another NFC-equipped device.
- Internet Explorer 10: The next version of Windows Phone comes with the same web browsing engine that’s headed for Window 8 PCs and tablets. IE10 is faster and more secure, with advanced anti-phishing features like SmartScreen Filter to block dangerous websites and malware.
- Wallet: Windows Phone 8’s new digital Wallet feature does two great things. It can keep debit and credit cards, coupons, boarding passes, and other important info right at your fingertips. And when paired with a secure SIM from your carrier, you can also pay for things with a tap of your phone at compatible checkout counters.
- Better maps and directions: Windows Phone 8 builds in Nokia mapping as part of the platform. Microsoft’s partnership with Nokia will provide more detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions in many countries, plus the ability to store maps offline on your phone so you can work with maps without a data connection.
- Cooler apps and games: Basing Windows Phone 8 on the Windows core will unleash a new wave of amazing apps and especially games, for reasons I’ll touch on in a moment.
Windows Phone 8 also features a flexible new Start screen, making it more personal, with a new palette of theme colors and three sizes of Live Tiles, all of which are under the users control.
Now the bad news for all existing Windows phone owners, you will not be getting all the Windows Phone 8 update. The Windows Phone 8 OS will not run on existing hardware so Microsoft is planning to release an update with the new Windows Phone 8 Start screen called the Windows Phone 7.8. Yes only the UI is getting updated for the existing Windows phone users.
If you have missed the Windows Phone 8 summit, watch all the actions here –