Microsoft has
established a more stable mobile platform by unveiling the new Windows Phone 8. Apart
from the recent press launch of its Surface tablets this week, WP8 is yet
another feather on Microsoft’s cap with a flaring “shared core” accents.
Shared Windows Core
Shared Windows
Core is a WP8 capability that allows it to share kernel, drivers, security,
graphics and many more in the same Windows 8 (desktop) platform. It also means that it
can port working compatibility to other platforms (Android, iOS etc). WP8 brings support for
multi-cores, it would even support up to 64-cores. Higher resolutions
will also be supported in the likes of WVGA 720p (1280 x 720) and WXGA (1280 x
768).
Removable Memory and Internet Explorer 10
Windows Phone 8
will have a full SD support, one of the sought-after feature in smartphones.
Alongside with its memory capability, WP8 will be infused with Internet
Explorer 10 as its native browser. One good thing is that all sites that can be accessed in a desktop browser could also be pulled-up in phones too; browser’s
security features will also be full blast in mobile IE10.
NFC Support and Nokia Maps
Latest mobile
payment technology, NFC, will also be supported in WP8 and was dubbed as the
most complete wallet experience. This allows all third party apps to use its
information. The Tap-Send button will allow you to transfer file between two
WP8 devices. On the other hand, it will use Nokia Mapping Services that allows you to use map data even if you're offline. Likewise, all third party
apps can use Nokia Maps’ data.
Bumped Home Screen and Multitasking
The next version
will feature live tile sizes in the start screen with customable sizes. Tiles
functionality changes with tile sizes and there will be more colors to choose
from.
Speech Platform
Microsoft’s
Speech Platform will be a potential competition to Apple’s Siri. The main reason
is that this system-wide platform is available to all developers making this platform accessible to their apps. In simple terms, Microsoft wants you to converse in
any possible app there is.
The first bearer
of WP8 will be Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei. And I hate to say it but Windows
Phone 7 (Mango) devices will not be compatible with WP8 platform, however Microsoft
will be releasing a WP 7.8 update. The scheduled release of Windows Phone 8 will
be this fall (September).
