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It’s been a busy week for Microsoft, already unveiling two of its own tablet computers for Windows 8, but it’s not done yet. The software giant has just taken the wraps off of Windows Phone 8, the next big update for its mobile platform.
Windows Phone 8, previously codenamed ‘Apollo’, will bring the Windows Phone platform in line with the forthcoming Windows 8 OS in a big way. It will also bring Windows Phones up to scratch with the ever-improving Android devices we see today.
We’re likely to see much more powerful and impressive Windows Phones within the next year, as WP8 supports multi-core processors, WXGA (720p HD) and WVGA screen resolutions, NFC and support for micro SD cards – at last.
Asides from the hardware side of things, Windows Phone 8 looks set to be a marked improvement on the current version of 7.5, with Microsoft looking to change the opinions of most with improved business features and gaming options.
The mobile OS will share the same native code as Windows 8, which means that applications and games can be rewritten very quickly and easily by developers. This means that if an app is available on Windows 8, it should be easily made available for Windows Phone 8.
Microsoft’s partnership with Nokia lends a helping hand, as Nokia’s excellent maps service will be integrated in the new OS, including support for offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation.
Business users will be taken care off with a secure bitlocker backbone to the OS, improved Office apps, easy device management for IT management teams within businesses, better encryption and a secure boot method.
Every other phone has NFC these days – it’s the latest tech buzzword. However, Microsoft has plans with an all-in-one wallet system that will allow you to make payments with your phone and even store e-tickets and digital passes – think Google Wallet combined with Apple’s Passbook app for iOS 6. Rather than using your phone to make payments, Microsoft’s solution uses the SIM, which is more secure. It’s already been endorsed by the GSMA!
Microsoft showed off Internet Explorer 10 with Windows Phone 8, which looked very impressive. It features a built-in Anti-Phishing filter, touch support for HTML5 content and a super fast Javascript performance. Because IE10 will be on Windows 8 PCs and Tablets, its user base can report unsafe sites and other users will be warned before accessing them on any device.
Finally, the live tile system that we love about Windows Phone 7 is set to become even more customisable in Windows Phone 8. You’ll be able to resize the tiles to small, medium or large and arrange them however you want. This will help use up the blank black background and really makes the homescreen look impressive.
Nokia, HTC, Samsung and Huawei have all been confirmed as the hardware partners, and will be making some of the first Windows Phone 8 devices.
Microsoft hasn’t given a full run down of the end user features in Windows Phone 8, nor has it given a launch date. This is just a teaser, and we’re already liking what we’re seeing. What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Image Credit: Engadget
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