Andre Yoskowitz
20 Jun 2012 20:04
During its announced developers conference today, Microsoft unveiled its Windows Phone 8 smartphone platform.
Codenamed 'Apollo,' the OS will not be available to any current Windows Phone user, which should anger the small but growing population of its users. This includes the Nokia Lumia 900, the flagship device recently launched on AT&T and around the world.
Amongst the new features are enhanced gaming functionality, a digital wallet and improved multitasking.
Most importantly, the phones have moved forward technologically. There is new support for multi-core processors (like dual-core and quad-core) and resolutions up to 1280x720. All Windows Phone 8 devices will have included microSD slots, allowing for extra storage space.
Like rival operating systems, Apollo will soon have its own "digital wallet," giving WP users the ability to make payments right from their phone with connected credit/debit cards and other options. All WP8 phones will come equipped with NFC to take advantage of the wallet when the details have been worked out with the carriers.
Multitasking has been made functional, as well, with users being able to actually text while calling now, among other situations where multitasking is sometimes necessary.
Finally giving users the chance to customize their UI, WP8 will allow buyers to change the size of the start screen icons. Video call integration of Skype, Google Talk and other services will all work from one single interface.
Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Huawei, and ZTE have all confirmed new phones for the platform.