Windows 8 -On Mobile -Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8 (codename Apollo) is the next generation of Windows Phone, as officially confirmed by MS at an MSDN seminar in August 2011 and previewed at Microsofts 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012. The expected release date for this version is in Q4 2012.
Devices will be launched by four companies, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC and others include Lenovo and ZTE. All devices will be based on System on Chips from Qualcomm (Snapdragon S4 Plus). Current Windows Phone 7.x devices will not be able to run or update to Windows Phone 8 and new applications compiled specifically for Windows Phone 8 will not be made available for Windows Phone 7.x devices.

Features

The following features were confirmed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012

• Transitions to core components from Windows 8, including kernel, file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support
• Support for multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores
• Support for WXGA (1280×720, 1280×768) resolutions
• Support for MicroSD cards
• Internet Explorer 10
• Background multitasking
• NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines (NFC is partially supported in Tango update, e.g. ZTE Orbit)
• Native code support (C and C++), simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS
• Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 Metro apps)
• Carrier control and branding of "wallet" element is possible via SIM or phone hardware (Orange will be first)
• Nokia map technology (Navteq maps with offline mode, turn-by-turn directions)
• Native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption, Secure Boot
• Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
• VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
• In-app purchases
• Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
• Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to WP8 devices

In February 2012, the tech-news site pocketnow.com claimed to have been shown a Microsoft produced video for internal use where Joe Belfiore, senior vice-president and Windows Phone manager, revealed a number of features in Windows Phone 8. About half of these were confirmed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012. Listed below are features from the video that have not yet been officially confirmed by Microsoft.

• Zune desktop integration scrapped in favor of new, unnamed syncing app
• Deeper Skydrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections (confirmed by MS as part of Live wave 5 update)
• Xbox Companion app will get Windows 8 partner client
• App-to-app communication and integration
• Camera app now supports "lenses", which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
• DataSmart tracks and reports usage via app and live tile
• Gives preferential treatment to WiFi, can automatically connect to carrier-owned hotspots
• Proxy server will compress websites in Internet Explorer 10 up to 30 percent
• Support for proprietary, custom built apps to be deployed behind company firewalls