Today at the event Windows Phone Summit, Microsoft introduced a mobile operating system Windows Phone 8. First of all, it should be said that WP8 takes a significant part of the code and the kernel of Windows 8. At the heart of the new mobile operating system, Microsoft will be based on a full core of NT. However, it is not just the kernel, and so-called Shared Windows Core, extending to the file system, security infrastructure and so on.
In addition to the existing screen resolution of 800×480 manufacturers of devices will be able to use 1280×720 or 1280×768. As mentioned in the rumors, there is support for multi-core processors: the OS with the new kernel can work not only with a 2 – or 4-core chips and will be compatible with processors having up to 64 cores. Microsoft notes that WP8 brings full multi-tasking.
Among other innovations, we can mention support for technology exchange at close range for the NFC tags and fees, as well as the ability to create devices with a slot for an SD memory card for storing data and installing applications
One of the main innovations of the WP8 is Internet Explorer 10. The company said that compared to Windows Phone 7.5 speed of processing JavaScript in new browser has increased 4 times, the number of HTML5 features supported by the increased 2-fold. In many ways, the browser is optimized desktop version. Smart Screen technology and anti-phishing filter, finally, were brought in the mobile sector. IE10 also supports touch input to the HTML5-applications, which is very important for smart phones.
About the NFC feature worth mentioning separately. It seems that the system Google Wallet and Apple Passbook will be a new competitor – during the event, Microsoft announced plans to connect credit cards, customer cards and so on in their own mobile wallet. The company promises that it will be able to offer the most complete payment for the environment than any other smartphone, with the integration of third-party applications, and storage elements of the security on SIM-card, not the phone itself.
If you have previously thought that the companies are not the target audience of Microsoft, now the situation could change. Windows Phone 8 will receive a number of features specifically for the corporate sector, such as a secure environment, support for encryption BitLocker, safety features and downloads for IT-administration. The operating system will be expanded features Office.
In order to gain access to mapping services Nokia, now do not have to buy the phone Lumia – they are built into the operating system Windows Phone 8. Themselves have improved service Nokia maps NAVTEQ, support offline mode, and step by step navigation and the ability to manage cards for third-party developers.
Windows Phone 8 and revised offer user environment. Among the most notable changes – a new Start screen, which is more prone to configure. Instead of blocks of equal size are now offered two choices: small-and double-wide – the screen was more like a Windows 8. All current applications will automatically run in small and medium-sized blocks, and later, developers can add support for larger units, if they wish. There were more choice of colors.
Microsoft does not knowingly bought Skype – VoIP-This service is now deeply integrated into the OS, in fact, it may be as closely associated with applications from third-party developers. So users will be able to make VoIP-calls as simple as a familiar voice – Manage Skype calls is similar to an ordinary cell.
Among other functions, we can mention support for application development in C and C + +, as well as the ability to use the developers sales system within the program. Supported by more than 180 countries and 50 languages.
Microsoft managed to create a unified platform for tablet PCs and smart phones. The main advantage was the ease of porting applications, including games. As you can see, the company has made a huge step forward at all levels. Thus, Microsoft is not only catching up with rivals in performance and capabilities of the OS, but in some ways ahead of them. And finally, it must be said that the Windows Phone 8 out later this year, it seems, will go along with Windows 8. The first wave of devices will be models from HTC, Huawei, Nokia and Samsung – all of which will be based on platforms, Qualcomm, as well as today’s WP-smartphones.
