Still fresh from their Surface announcement, Microsoft this time around introduces Windows Phone 8 or will surely know known as WP8. Using a prototype that was developed by Nokia.

Here are the notable features that was announced at the keynote:

• Windows Phone 8 is based on Windows NT kernel
• Multi-core support (from single-core up to dual-core) – even though most smartphone are already shifting to quad-core.
• Support for multiple screen resolution (WVGA, WXGA and 720p) where WVGA can be think as “720p Plus” it’s 1280×768 with 15:9 aspect ratio.
• microSD Support
• built-in IE 10
• Native Code support for “killer” games meaning WP8 and Windows 8 will share game drivers – Cross platform anyone?
• NFC Support including WP8 Wallet – mobile payments (on the SIM), loyalty and membership cards, saved deals, and NFC ‘tap to pay’ rolled into one.
• Nokia Maps; offline map support, map control for developers, turn-by-turn and NAVTEQ map data. – Sorry guys No 3D View
• WP8 for business; support for encryption and secure boot using Bitlocker technology.
• New Start screen with resizeable Tiles
• In App purchase feature
• WP8 will be available in 50 languages and more than 180 countries – Apple’s iOS 6 is 155 Countries
• Upgrade path via OTA; devices released within the last 18 months but the catch is that legacy device can only upgrade up to Windows 7.8 – iOS 6 will still support iPhone 3GS which was released June 2009.
• Windows Phone Platform now has more than 100,000 apps via Market place – I’m sure the number will still grow come this fall!

On the Developers side

• Graphics and Media; built on top of Direct3D core
• Offers .NET Engine
• Bluetooth and NFC
• IPV6 supported
• C and C++ native support
• Hardware acceleration through Direct3D – which means graphics intensive games.
• Win8 and WP8 shared native API set – meaning apps developed for Windows 8 can easily be ported to Windows Phone 8. 
• Supports VoIP
• Car integration
• Speech recognition (will be available to WP7.5 and up) partnering with Audible
• Multi-tasking (background apps)
• Visual Studio 2012 will support Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.5 (Tango) Apps – Good news for app developers.
• WP 8 will support the following dev. languages; XAML with C# and Visual Basic, Native C++ code and HTML5.
• WP8 SDK will be available this Summer -  iOS 6 beta software and SDK are available immediately!!

These are the things that Microsoft discussed in their WP8 keynote. It’s been a Microsoft week, where they announced the Windows 8 powered Surface last Tuesday and now Window Phone 8. Microsoft partnered with Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC to create the devices using the System on Chips by Qualcomm. Windows Phone 8 powered devices will start shipping this fall. Again the further they delay this thing the closer the inevitable.

Photo from TC

About Abiel Abuy

The author and publisher of KabayanTech. I’m also a writer/contributor to Technorati Technology Channel.