Microsoft to align Windows Phone 8 with Windows 8

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Microsoft is set to align the next generation of its Windows Phone platform, Windows Phone 8, with its Windows 8 platform for desktop computers and tablets – although it was reported that compatibility with current apps will be maintained.

In a video, Joe Belfiore, manager of Windows Phone for Microsoft, said that the intention is for developers to be able to “re-use, by far, most of their code” when moving behind the desktop and smartphone platforms. This should also help Microsoft to seamlessly transition many of its existing PC developers to mobile, resulting in a much larger pool creating apps.

According to reports originating from Phonenow, the platform, codenamed Apollo, is based on the Windows 8 kernel, rather than being based on Windows CE like the current Windows Phone. There will also be commonalities in the networking stacks, security and multimedia architectures.

Microsoft has already begun efforts to woo developers to its Windows 8 platform, which will also mark the company’s effort to gain market share in the tablet space. It is offering a version of the platform for devices using ARM-based processors, which should enable it to exploit commonalities with the smartphone platform.

Also on the Windows Phone 8 spec sheet, the reports said, is NFC, enabling the creation of “tap-to-share” apps. The camera architecture has also been modified, to provide a basic interface that can be modified by device makers or developers.

The platform will be integrated with Microsoft’s Skydrive cloud service, to enable content to be shared across multiple Windows-powered devices.

A number of other changes have been reported. The platform will gain support for multicore processors and more screen resolution, enabling more hardware differentiation for vendors.

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Windows Phone 8 details leaked. Will have tap- to-share capabilities like webOS.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Microsoft has some major changes in store for Windows Phone 8, 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. 

Near field communication (NFC) 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 the capability to be carrier-branded and controlled, either by a secure element on the SIM card or utilising 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, 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.

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.

Application ecosystem:

Microsoft expects 100,000 apps to be in the Marketplace at the launch of Windows Phone 8 which is rumoured to be happening sometime in the fourth quarter. 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.

Source: pocketnow