Windows Phone 8

evolutionqy7

Windows Phone 8

So apparently somehow www.pocketnow.com got a hold of a video conference call between SVP of Windows Phone Manager Joe B. and partner at Nokia discussing the upcoming details of Windows Phone 8 as a platform.

http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/exclusive-windows-phone-8-detailed

Microsoft has some major changes in store for Windows Phone 8, we've learned, which is the version of the platform currently being referred to by codename "Apollo" (the one scheduled for deployment after the upcoming Tango update). Thanks to a video hosted by senior vice president and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore, and intended for partners at Nokia, a number of WP8 features and themes have now been revealed.

Hardware changes

According to Belfiore, the overarching theme with regards to the Windows Phone 8 hardware ecosystem will be scale and choice. Specifically, Apollo will add support for multicore processors, new screen resolutions (a total of four, although actual pixel counts weren't specified), and removable microSD card storage. It's clear that Microsoft is addressing one of the platform's pain points, which is a perceived inability to compete in spec sheet comparisons with the iPhone and Android-based devices.

NFC radios will also be supported, with Belfiore placing specific emphasis on 8's push into contactless payments. The "Wallet experience," as he calls it, will have to capability to be carrier-branded and controlled, either by a secure element on the SIM card or utilizing hardware in the phone itself. In addition, tap-to-share capabilities will reportedly work across multiple platforms, allowing desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones to all share content.

Windows 8 integration

Windows Phone 8 won't just share a UI with the next-generation desktop and tablet OS, apparently: it will use many of the same components as Windows 8, allowing developers to "reuse -- by far -- most of their code" when porting an app from desktop to phone, according to Belfiore. He specifically mentions the kernel, networking stacks, security, and multimedia support as areas of heavy overlap.

Moreover, Windows Phone 8 will reportedly scrap integration with the desktop Zune client in favor of a syncing relationship with a dedicated companion application. In other words, Microsoft is bringing back a (presumably) richer version of ActiveSync after letting that program die out for the most part.

The Xbox Companion app, currently found on Windows Phones, will see a partner client on Windows 8. Skydrive support promises seamless sharing of data between devices; Belfiore gives the example of instantly having one's music collection available on a newly-purchased Windows Phone, without the need for a PC sync.

It sounds like the tagline for this so-called Windows 2012 relaunch, or "Windows reimagined," will be "The New Familiar."

Application ecosystem

Microsoft expects 100,000 apps to be in the Marketplace (tipped for imminent worldwide availability) at the launch of Windows Phone 8 -- rumored by WMPoweruser as happening sometime in the fourth quarter. The biggest news on the app front is probably the addition of native code support, which will enable more powerful applications as well as ease the porting of code from programs initially developed for iOS or Android.

Also mentioned is support for app-to-app communication, as well as a revamped Skype client that hooks directly into the OS, letting Skype calls behave almost identically to regular, non-VoIP telephony. The camera will now be based around so-called lens apps: Microsoft provides a basic camera interface that can either be skinned by OEMs or overlaid with viewfinders from third-parties. Belfiore gives the example of a lens app that combines burst mode with smile detection to capture a perfect portrait shot.

Data management

One of the main highlights of the overview was a feature called DataSmart, which aims to reduce, and simplify the tracking of, data usage. Besides providing a breakdown of data consumption, as other platforms already do, Windows Phone 8 will actively attempt to give Wi-Fi connections precedence, going so far as to automatically connect to carrier-owned WLANs when in range. To that end, the Local Scout feature of Bing Maps will enable the real-time location of nearby hotspots. Data usage will also be made glanceable thanks to a live tile.

Perhaps most interesting is Windows Phone 8's planned use of a proxy server to feed pages to Internet Explorer 10. Like Opera Mini and the Skyfire of old, this service uses server-side compression to reduce the amount of data required to view websites -- in this case, by a claimed 30%.

Business support

In an attempt to recapture the enterprise, Windows Phone 8 is said to add native BitLocker encryption -- the same 128-bit, full-disk encryption found on Microsoft most recent desktop platforms. So-called "line-of-business" applications are also gaining support, allowing businesses to deploy proprietary, tailored software behind their company firewalls.


Overall, we're looking at a lot of changes and additions here, all of which seem designed to either bring Windows Phone in line with other platforms, feature-wise, or make it more closely identical to the desktop version of Windows. It's probably safe to say that the jump from Mango/Tango to Apollo will be nearly as significant as the transition from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone, and this preview certainly gives us a lot to look forward to.

Im not sure how much credibility you can give these guys. They had a few exclusive leaks in the past which as far as ive recalled were all confirmed further down the line.

Everyone who has been following windows phone 7 might been expecting some important regarding hardware, but this explains there will be more extreme changes in the software base and not just the new kernel as speculated before. Parts of Windows 8 to be in Windows Phone 8

Only time can tell. But still all of this sounds pretty sweet.

Time will tell

AntiVirus

Its been confirmed to be true but it will also come with a more powerfull Skype app. I'm really looking forward to the Skype integration and the new better sky drive integration.

AntiVirus

Here's a nice easy to read list of some of the new features coming to Windows phone 8

• Support for dual cores
• Support for four different resolutions, though no specifics were given
• NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines
• Carrier control and branding of "wallet" element is possible via SIM or phone hardware
• MicroSD support added for expandable storage
• Transitions to core components from desktop, including kernel, network stack, security components and media support
• Simplified porting of desktop apps to mobile
• Zune desktop integration scrapped in favor of new, unnamed syncing app
• Deeper Skydrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections
• Xbox Companion app will get Windows 8 partner client
• Native code support, simplified porting from Android and iOS
• App-to-app communication and integration
• Skype client with deep OS hooks that will make it almost identical to placing standard voice calls
• 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
• Native Bitlocker encryption
• Support for proprietary, custom built apps to be deployed behind company firewalls
-

Atomic Pineapple

Looks good, some stuff there that would start to get me interested in Windows Phone on a more serious basis.

Odaise Gaelach

And so begins another 2500+ post thread in this forum?

So far it all sounds pretty nice, but I doubt we'll see anything more concrete about it before 2013. Hell, I've still got Windows 8 to look forward to!

Apparently though Windows Phone 8 is going to be backwards-compatible with Windows Phone 7 apps, which will be interesting, and certainly give Microsoft a good boost.

AntiVirus

Odaise Gaelach wrote: »

So far it all sounds pretty nice, but I doubt we'll see anything more concrete about it before 2013. Hell, I've still got Windows 8 to look forward to!

Apparently It's going to be released at the same time as Windows 8.

Atomic Pineapple

Would there be enough support for a Windows Phone forum yet? Be good to get a community going on Boards dedicated to it like the Apple media devices and Android forums.

AntiVirus

draffodx wrote: »

Would there be enough support for a Windows Phone forum yet? Be good to get a community going on Boards dedicated to it like the Apple media devices and Android forums.

I don't know why they haven't done one yet. They could have one with a link to xda

evolutionqy7

Odaise Gaelach wrote: »

And so begins another 2500+ post thread in this forum?

So far it all sounds pretty nice, but I doubt we'll see anything more concrete about it before 2013. Hell, I've still got Windows 8 to look forward to!

Apparently though Windows Phone 8 is going to be backwards-compatible with Windows Phone 7 apps, which will be interesting, and certainly give Microsoft a good boost.

Sure why not. Maybe this year we will get our own spot in the forum

Personally looking forward to this autumn/winter update now who cares about tango hehe

As the original note said windows 8 and windows phone 8 will launch around the sake time, will run under the same marketing campaign for windows re-imagined

Odaise Gaelach

So Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 released around the same time? I'll be looking forward to both of them now!

EDIT: Apparently there are rumours that Windows Phone 7s won't be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8 when it comes out. Apparently. Allegedly. Microsoft (that is, Brandon Watson) have kinda denied it so far, but I'd like the confirmation...

AntiVirus

Odaise Gaelach wrote: »

So Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 released around the same time? I'll be looking forward to both of them now!

EDIT: Apparently there are rumours that Windows Phone 7s won't be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8 when it comes out. Apparently. Allegedly. Microsoft (that is, Brandon Watson) have kinda denied it so far, but I'd like the confirmation...

Just one blogger who's guess is about about as good as anyones. He said none of the Windows Phone 7 apps will run on Windows Phone 8 only a week before this and he was wrong. He's still pissed off ever since Microsoft wouldn't allow him to run the official Russian Microsoft website.

Windows Phone 8 will run on all current Windows Phone's if it wouldn't this would be a disaster for Nokia. Nokia haven't even released their tango phones yet and most of there will only be out by the summer time.

And for all of you worried about Skype. It's just been revealed its out for testing...

http://www.theverge.com/microsoft/2012/2/3/2768279/skype-for-windows-phone-internal-testing