The promotional video clip of next-generation mobile software from Microsoft – “Windows Phone 8” – has been leaked ahead of time. According to this leaked clip, Microsoft has planned some pretty impressive improvements on its next-generation software. This promotional video was supposedly intended for the Microsoft partners at Nokia to give them details about the new version of Windows Phone.
In the video, Windows Phone manager and senior vice president Joe Belfiore discloses many significant upgrading over the present Windows Phone version with a number of WP8 features and themes. Windows Phone 8 software has been codenamed with “Apollo” and it is intended to bring the advanced operating system by means of features of the other major phone operating systems.
Read ahead, to know about what we can expect from this latest mobile software. First of all, let’s take a look towards the upgrading of Hardware Department; here the stuff is all set to get a whole lot more exciting – as Apollo will come with support for better screen resolutions, multicore processors and removable microSD card storage – Hurrah! This all improvements are seen as preventive factors when comparing iOS and Android-based devices side-by-side. As expected, the Windows Phone 8 software will also place a great focus on NFC (near-field communication) tech; however Belfiore is calling it the “Wallet experience,” which will have the ability to be controlled and carrier-branded, either by utilizing hardware in the device itself or by a secure element on the SIM. Moreover, the NFC tap-to-share capabilities will supposedly work across multiple platforms such as laptops, tablets, phones and desktops.
Now coming to the Windows 8 integration, Apollo will share UI and components with the next-generation tablet and desktop OS. It seems that Windows Phone 8 will use many of the same components as Windows 8, which will attract the developers to the Windows Phone 8 platform as it will allow developers to reuse most of their code across Windows 8 and Phone 8 while transferring an app from desktop to phone. Here the multimedia support, Kernel, security and networking stacks have heaviest overlap specifically.
Furthermore, Apollo will supposedly scrap integration with Zune for desktop and phones in support of a syncing relationship by means of a dedicated companion application – most probably richer version of the old ActiveSync. The Xbox Companion app, which presently found on Windows Phone will even work across Windows 8 client. It will come with Skydrive support for the seamless sharing of data between devices and desktop PC.
The next highlighted point is Application ecosystem and according to Microsoft, there will be 100,000 apps on hand worldwide at the launch of Apollo – rumored as happening sometime in the Q4 2012. The addition of native code support is the biggest news on the app front; this addition will enable more powerful applications and the porting of Apps that are initially developed for Android or iOS. The OS will also come with support for app-to-app communication and deeply integrated Skype, which will be great news for individuals having family or friends overseas.
The Camera feature will be based on a Lens App. With the Windows Phone 8, Microsoft offers a basic camera interface to control the camera, which can either be skinned by OEMs or superimposed with viewfinders from 3rd-parties.
An innovative feature called DataSmart will be integrated, which aims to cut down on data consumption and more easily track data downloads. The App will give detailed information about data use, but more amusingly it will automatically connect to any carrier-owned WiFi networks while you are out and about. The Local Scout feature of Bing Maps will be even integrated, which will show real-time location of nearby WiFi hotspots.
With the intention of providing a faster browsing experience, Windows Phone 8 is planned to direct Internet Explorer 10 browser traffic to proxy servers for accelerating the browsing experience. This service uses server-side compression of 30% for reducing the amount of data needed to view websites.
Last but not the least is an Enterprise Support upgrading. In order to re-establish the enterprise, Apollo is supposed to include native BitLocker 128-bit, full-disk encryption. This is the same encryption which Microsoft exploits on their desktop systems. The ‘line-of-business’ apps and software are also gaining integrated support, permitting businesses to set up proprietary, customized software behind their corporate firewalls. This is essential for businesses that want to protect stored data and emails on their staff smartphones.
On the whole, there is a probability of many additions and changes with Windows Phone 8 and all of which appear as intended to either make Windows Phone more closely with the desktop version of Windows or bring Windows Phone at the level of other platforms, feature-wise. There are no words on whether Windows Phone 8 becomes available on present Windows Phone devices or on new smartphones.