Microsoft has announced the next big thing in the world of Windows Phone. Though the event was supposed to address developers, it highlighted everything that the new Windows Phone OS has to offer from the consumer’s perspective. The new operating system looks good and is a refreshing update over Windows Phone 7.5.
Without wasting more words, below are the highlights of the new Windows Phone 8;
1. Windows Phone 8 and Microsoft Windows 8 (PC) will share the same core.
Windows Phone 8 and Microsoft Windows 8 (PC) will share the same core. It means less work for developers as the software programed for Windows 8 will also run on Windows Phone 8 with less or no work for the developer. Windows Phone 7 was ignored by developers as IOS and Android were the most popular ones and very few like to devote energy on something which has less to offer. However, developers can’t ignore Microsoft Windows (who can?) and that will get more developers on-board to Windows Phone 8.
2. Internet Explorer 10 comes to Windows Phone 8.
Microsoft said that the same version that powers the upcoming Microsoft Windows 8 will run on Windows Phone 8. The new IE 10 browser will have improved HTML5 handling with support for accelerometer which can be used to play games inside the browser. And also, its metro UI looks. There are also javascript and handling improvements of websites.
3. Windows Phone 8 will run Windows Phone 7.5 apps.
Microsoft has a great record of supporting legacy software by developers for years. They don’t abandon the existing stuff unless something radical change is required. There are over 100,000 apps in the windows marketplace and all of these apps can be installed on Windows Phone 8. There was a fear that due to the fact that Windows Phone 8 possess a new core, Windows Phone 8 might handle apps differently. As of now, Windows Phone 7.5 apps look cool at UI handling but lag behind apps made for iPhone and iPad. We hope that the quality of apps improves in future.
4. Phones with Windows Phone 7.5 won’t receive Windows Phone 8 update.
Here is a news which won’t be liked by existing Windows Phone 7.5 users. Microsoft said that due to a new core which handles hardware profiles differently, it isn’t possible to bring all the changes to Windows Phone 8.
However, Microsoft introduced a new home screen (see the above image) where live tiles can be customized, resized and is more vibrant than the current generation, it will be provided as a separate update to users on Window Phone 7.5.
5. Support for Dual core processor, new Graphics cards, and MicroSD.
There is a processing race in the Android OS ecosystem where manufacturers showcase their might with powerful solutions. In Windows Phone 7.x releases, all the offerings from different manufacturers were hardly differentiable from each other. Windows Phone 7.x was definitely not slow, however it failed to capture the market.
Microsoft has lifted the restrictions on type of offerings, and also manufacturers will be able to implant a MicroSD slot on the device. The offering of Internal memory only on Windows Phone devices was itself wired from the first place.
6. Support for HD Screens.
Windows Phone 8 will adds support for more screen resolutions. The two new resolutions are 720p and WXGA.
7. NFC Chips
Windows Phone 8 will have built-in NFC chips, similar to the ones found on Samsung Galaxy S III. Those who aren’t familiar with NFC, it’s Near Field Communication that allows you to transfer data between two devices who are in communication or say, contact. It’s fast and there is a whole level of things that can be achieved with this technology.
8. Mobile Payments.
Mobile Payments need no introduction as this is the next big thing that you have heard repeatedly. Apple announced their payment solution recently, Google is already making big moves and this time, Microsoft announced their mobile-payment system. The system is yet to achieve its potential in any operating system and thus, we aren’t going more into details.
9. Nokia Maps integrated into the operating system.
The alliance between Microsoft and Nokia is getting to a point where Nokia doesn’t want to differentiate its product from other Windows Phone manufacturers. In other words, they are allowing others to use their software which might have helped themselves outshine others. It’s just goes on to show that the way in which Microsoft is eating into Nokia. I have nothing against the development but I just thought of highlighting my view.
Also, the new Nokia maps will offer offline navigation which is very welcoming as one thing that I never liked about Google maps is the requirement to go online for anything. I later understood that Google is huge and there are lots of changes that take place daily in maps and providing offline maps for Google would have meant giving some detail which might be inaccurate and has received a correction. As things are stable now, Google is also going to offer offline navigation.
We definitely think that Windows Phone 8 really has the potential to do something great for Microsoft. We don’t want to judge that how it may turn out? But things definitely look positive.
