Although programs written for Windows Phone 7 will run on Windows Phone 8 devices, current phones can’t be upgraded to the new operating system.
The integration means VoIP applications will become a full first-class app on Windows Phone 8 handsets, allowing them to integrate into the phone dialer, People Hub, and more.
Microsoft is also demonstrating its updated Internet Explorer 10 browser on Windows Phone 8.
Windows Phone 8 will support multi-core chips. It’s a move that will make Windows Phone more competitive with the iPhone and Android handsets, which have been able to check off multi-core support on their spec sheets for quite a while.
As suspected, Windows Phone 8 devices will support NFC sharing. Belfiore demoed how NFC would work in a Lexus advertisement with an embedded tag — he used the April issue of Wired magazine, actually: With a simple tap of his phone on top of the advertisement, he transferred product information directly to his Windows Phone.
Say goodbye to Bing Maps. Windows Phone 8 maps will run on Nokia’s mapping technology, built directly into the onboard Maps app. Some key features include: Global NAVTEQ map data, offline map support, turn-by-turn directions, and map control for developers. 3-D navigation didn’t make it.
Windows Phone 8 will feature a new Wallet hub where users can store their credit and debit card information, third-party loyalty and membership cards, and coupons and deals. It’s not unlike Apple’s iOS 6 Passbook app. But Windows Phone Wallet experience will also support NFC tap-to-pay.
Windows Phone 8 will come with a complete security platform with Secure Boot and encryption (which is a derivative of Windows Bitlocker).
So, when is Windows Phone 8 arriving? Much like Microsoft’s Surface tablet devices, the company isn’t disclosing availability dates just yet.
Source:
CNN
TechCrunch
Mashable
