Windows Phone 8

This article is about the second main version of Windows Phone. For Windows Phone as a whole, see Windows Phone. For the first version, see Windows Phone 7.

Windows Phone

The logo of Windows Phone 8
Developer	Microsoft Corporation
Source model	Closed-source
Initial release	Worldwide October 29, 2012 (2012-10-29)
Latest release	8.0
Kernel type	Hybrid (NT kernel)
License	Commercial proprietary software
Preceded by	Windows Phone 7
Official website	www.windowsphone.com

Windows Phone 8 is the second generation of the Windows Phone mobile operating system, as officially confirmed by Microsoft at an MSDN seminar in August 2011 and previewed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012. It was released to manufacturing on September 14, 2012 and released to consumers on October 29, 2012.

Devices will be launched by four companies: Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC. All devices will be based on System on Chips from Qualcomm. Current Windows Phone 7.x devices will not be able to run or update to Windows Phone 8 and new applications compiled specifically for Windows Phone 8 will not be made available for Windows Phone 7.x devices.

Unveiling

On June 20, 2012, Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo), a second generation of the Windows Phone operating system for release later in 2012. Windows Phone 8 replaces its previously Windows CE-based architecture with one based on the Windows NT kernel with many components shared with Windows 8, allowing applications to be easily ported between the two platforms.

Windows Phone 8 will also allow devices with larger screens (the 3 confirmed sizes are "WVGA 800x480 15:9","WXGA 1280x768 15:9","720p 1280x720 16:9" resolutions) and multi-core processors, NFC (which can primarily be used to share content and perform payments), backwards compatibility with Windows Phone 7 apps, improved support for removable storage (which now functions more similarly to how such storage is handled on Windows and Android), a redesigned home screen incorporating resizable tiles across the entire screen, Nokia Maps integration, a new Wallet hub (to integrate NFC payments, coupon websites such as Groupon, and loyalty cards), and "first-class" integration of VoIP applications into the core functions of the OS. Additionally, Windows Phone 8 will include more features aimed at the enterprise market, such as device management, BitLocker encryption, and the ability to create a private Marketplace to distribute apps to employees—features expected to meet or exceed the enterprise capabilities of the previous Windows Mobile platform. Additionally, Windows Phone 8 will support over-the-air updates, and all Windows Phone 8 devices will receive software support for at least 18 months after their release.

In the interest of ensuring it is released with devices designed to take advantage of its new features, Windows Phone 8 will not be made available as an update for existing Windows Phone 7 devices. However, a future update, Windows Phone 7.8, will backport the redesigned home screen.

Features

The following features were confirmed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012 and the unveiling of Windows Phone 8 on the 29th of October:

• Transitions to core components from Windows 8, including kernel, file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support
• Support for multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores
• Support for 1280x720 and 1280x768 resolutions
• Support for MicroSD cards
• Internet Explorer 10
• Background multitasking
• Kids Corner
• Rooms
• Xbox SmartGlass, allows control of a Xbox 360 with a phone (Available for android and windows 7.5 devices)
• Data Sense
• Xbox Music and Xbox Video services
• Easy transfers
• NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 machines (NFC is partially supported in Tango update, e.g. ZTE Orbit)
• Native code support (C and C++), simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS
• Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 Metro apps)
• Carrier control and branding of "wallet" element is possible via SIM or phone hardware (Orange will be first)
• Nokia map technology (Navteq maps with offline mode, turn-by-turn directions)
• Native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption, Secure Boot
• Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
• VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
• In-app purchases
• Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
• Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to Windows Phone 8 devices
• Camera app now supports "lenses", which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
• Native screen capture by pressing home and power simultaneously
• First version of Windows phone with Hebrew support.

Hardware

Just as it has done in the past, Microsoft has offered up a list of hardware requirements for each phone to run Windows Phone 8. The list includes:

Minimum Windows Phone 8 device requirements
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor
Minimum 512MB RAM for WVGA phones; minimum 1GB RAM for 720p / WXGA
Minimum 4GB flash memory
GPS and A-GNSS; GLONASS is supported if OEMs decide to include it
Support for micro-USB 2.0
3.5mm stereo headphone jack with three-button detection support
Rear-facing AF camera with LED or Xenon flash, optional front-facing camera (both need to be VGA or better) and dedicated camera button
Accelerometer, proximity and ambient light sensors, as well as vibration motor (magnetometer and gyroscope are optional)
802.11b/g and Bluetooth (802.11n is optional)
DirectX graphics hardware support with hardware acceleration for Direct3D using programmable GPU
Multi-touch capacitive touch screen with minimum of four simultaneous points