8 could be Microsoft's lucky number. The first look at Windows Phone 8 has emerged, revealing close ties with the warmly anticipated Windows 8 desktop software -- including more on how apps will work on both your phone and your computer.
Windows Phone 8 is detailed in an internal video seen by Pocketnow, in which a Microsoft boss explains the future of Windows Phone to new buddy Nokia. Nokia is leading the Windows Phone charge with the new Nokia Lumia 800 and forthcoming Nokia Lumia 710.
Windows Phone 8 is set to add NFC, so you'll be able to pay for stuff in shops with an airy wave of your phone in the general direction of any NFC-equipped till. Until a network of tills is in place, you can share data between two NFC phones by tapping them together.
Another new feature is a DataSmart live tile, an app to manage how much data you're using. DataSmart will always try to connect via Wi-Fi first to save your phone bill.
The next updates for Windows Phone are reported to be known as Tango and Apollo. This update, codenamed Apollo, is expected toward the end of this year.
Windows Phone replaced Windows Mobile just over a year ago, finally reacting to the iPhone and Android smart phone revolution. Windows Mobile's leaden, dated interface was replaced by large, colourful tiles that update automatically with the latest information.
We're big fans -- we really like the playful coloured interface. There are still pleny of features to be added, but we think it strikes a neat middle ground between Android's versatility and Apple's user-friendliness.
In fact, may of the priciples of Windows Phone design have been scaled up to computer size for Windows 8, the next generation of Microsoft's operating system for laptops, PCs and tablets.
Windows Phone 8 will arrive at around the same time as Windows 8, and will integrate with its desktop namesake. Most significantly, apps developed for the desktop will share a lot of their coding with phone apps, potentially giving the sparse catalogue of Windows Phone apps a massive boost.
What do you think of Windows Phone 8's new features? Will it help Windows Phone topple Android and Apple? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 14
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weaz1981 3 February, 2012 10:04
If they threw in Windows 8 as part of the phone package I reckon it would sell really well andd would take me away from Android this year come upgrade time.
anonymous 3 February, 2012 10:41
i wluld consider changeing from the iphone 4 to the new windows 8 phone
anonymous 3 February, 2012 10:43
I literally bought a Windows Phone yesterday - Lumia 800. Will it be getting upgraded to Windows Phone 8? I abandoned Android/Samsung partly because they won't be updating my Galaxy S to ICS, do I have to do the same to Windows after only 24 hours?!
anonymous 3 February, 2012 11:55
So does this means windows xp vista & 7 software will work on windows 8 mobile? If yes Excellent strategy if no I have my doubts.
anonymous 3 February, 2012 11:55
This is a nice idea, I love having the same apps on my phone as on my tablet and the data moving between the two - but my rudimentary understanding of such things says that as Win Phone is ARM-based at the moment and code written for ARM won't transfer seamlessly to x86 architecture? Does this mean all apps will need twice the compilation effort for developers or that one side will always be running some kind of emulation?
shauney3 3 February, 2012 12:00
M$ could be on to something here if they pull it off correctly!
anonymous 3 February, 2012 12:16
@anonymous 3 February, 2012 10:43
I literally bought a Windows Phone yesterday - Lumia 800. Will it be getting upgraded to Windows Phone 8? I abandoned Android/Samsung partly because they won't be updating my Galaxy S to ICS, do I have to do the same to Windows after only 24 hours?!
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You should asked these question before you bought the phone.
anonymous 3 February, 2012 13:08
Makes sense...you use your strenghs to cover-up your weaknesses. Windows 8 will be HUGE! Even vista, which sucked comapred to XP and 7, sold hundreds of million of copies. Win 8 is going to boom, and developers aren't stupid...they will build apps, along with programs and guess what WP 8 will bloom!
Rich Trenholm 3 February, 2012 14:51
Don't worry, anonymous Lumia owner - Windows Phone updates every phone at the same time, so you will always have the latest version (like Apple). Microsoft sets much stricter standards for phones running WP, precisely to avoid the kind of updating headaches that plague Android.
HarryMonmouth 3 February, 2012 20:44
I am going to be watching developments very closely. Without Steve in charge I wouldn't be surprised if Apple started to lose its edge so I could be convinced to jump ship next upgrade. Especially if this integration between phone and pc really pulls it off.
1453 4 February, 2012 14:17
I don't really think that Windows Phone 8 will work on the Lumia 800, 710 or 900! Windows Phone 8 will dual core etc. Don't think there will be an Lumia upgrade!
anonymous 4 February, 2012 20:19
"I literally bought a Windows Phone yesterday - Lumia 800. Will it be getting upgraded to Windows Phone 8? I abandoned Android/Samsung partly because they won't be updating my Galaxy S to ICS, do I have to do the same to Windows after only 24 hours?!"
Its looks more are more likely Lumias will NOT be upgraded to WP8.see YT video - Windows Weekly #246: Helsinki Syndrome (paul Thurott) - 40 minuntes in.
I suspect that single cores/512Mb wont be enough to run new kernel.
PS anon "Even vista, which sucked comapred to XP and 7, sold hundreds of million of copies".........thats only cos it came preinstalled on all the mainstream PCs...................alo of people "upgraded" vista to XP.
anonymous 5 February, 2012 18:00
dont worry lumia guys or with any wp7 handsets, all are gonna get update to win8 for sure... There wont be any compatibility issues as well because microsoft have pulled their socks up and doing a great great job!!!!
anonymous 6 February, 2012 07:39
Since showing off my lumia 800 at work, three others have now switched from their os, two android & one iphone & all three are very happy with the move. There are another twelve waiting for their contract upgrade & all intent on switching.
Apple & Android have had their day!