Microsoft unveiled the new operating system that will ship in next-gen Windows Phones. There's a lot to know, and this is the place to start.
Behold, the new Windows Phone start screen.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8 today, its next-generation smartphone operating system. But what exactly does that entail, when can we expect to see devices, and what does it mean for people who have Windows phones now?
What are hardware changes?
Near-Field Communication (NFC), support for multicore processors (like dual-core and quad-core), new screen resolutions (like 1,280x720-pixel HD), and expandable memory slots are the biggest news in terms of hardware changes.
What's with the new start screen?
Microsoft's redesigned start screen (pictured above) spans the width of the screen now. You'll be able to resize each individual live tile from the start screen to one of three sizes. There's also support for new color themes, which Microsoft didn't list.
What else is new?
There's also support for in-app purchases, and a "wallet" for storing sensitive account information and loyalty cards, to name a few. Phones get over-the-air OS updates, instead of tethering to the desktop to update. Windows Phone 8's architecture heavily overlaps with Windows 8 for the desktop and tablet, so there will be a great deal of similarity in the way that the OSes handle security, gaming, networking, media playback, and so forth.
Read here for more details about what's new in Windows Phone 8.
When can I get it on my Windows phone?
New Windows phones running WP8 will ship in the fall. Microsoft also used the term "holiday season," which could really mean anywhere from late September all the way to just before Christmas.
Bad news for existing Windows Phone owners, though. There's no upgrade path from Windows Phone 7.5 handsets to the forthcoming OS. We know, we feel your pain. You just bought your Samsung or Lumia phone and it's already obsolete. Now before you get your knickers in a bunch, consider this: it's mostly a hardware foundation that's going to make Windows phones far more competitive going forward.
Well, what can I get, then?
Microsoft threw you a bone. A small bone, but one that Redmond hopes you'll find tasty nonetheless. Windows Phone 7.8 is an update that will give current 7.5 Mango users the new start screen to play with. Microsoft did not announce an update schedule to Windows Phone 7.8.
What does Nokia say?
Nokia is also offering several apps on its phones: Play To content sharing over DLNA, Nokia Maps with commuting intelligence, Nokia Music 3.0 with Mix Radio, Nokia Drive, and camera extras, which include panorama, burst shot, and GroupShot (it'll find photos with the nicest smiles and open eyes.) Camera Extras and Counters will come to the U.S. and China by June 22, and to other countries in July.
Zynga games like Words with Friends and Draw Something will be available to Lumia owners for the next couple of months, Nokia said. There's also a usage app to monitor texts and calls.
When do developers get the SDK?
Microsoft will go into deeper details with developers later this summer, which is when they'll also get the SDK.
Who's making the phones?
Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Huawei, and ZTE are Microsoft's five largest partners, but we'll see Windows phones from other manufacturers as well. Samsung and Nokia have already shown a range of higher-end and more midrange Windows 7.5 handsets here in the U.S., and Huawei and ZTE have demoed the more affordable, entry-level Windows Phone handsets globally. We expect the trend to continue with Windows Phone 8.
Which carriers will they come to?
AT&T has been Windows Phone's most staunch champion, with more of Microsoft's phones than any other carrier, so we can expect to see AT&T nabbing great higher-end devices. T-Mobile is doing well with Nokia's Lumia 710, and will undoubtedly jump on board with Windows Phone 8. Sprint and Verizon have had one handset apiece, and not for a long time. Verizon and Microsoft are publicly pleased to have a Windows phone in Big Red's portfolio, but the carrier could play it cautiously with just one high-end device until the platform proves itself. Sprint will surely follow suit.
What kind of processors will the phones use?
The high-end Windows phones will use Qualcomm's dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, which can be tuned for up to 1.7GHz clock speed. Some phones will also source slower processors as a way to manage price and match features for more entry-level phones. Get more details here.
Is there native Skype support?
No, the VoIP app isn't built in and you'll still have to download Skype to use it. Microsoft has, however, laid down the foundation for third-party apps like Skype and others to integrate with the phone-call menu so that VoIP calls that you place and answer look identical to calls that originate from the dialer.
How will it use NFC?
Windows Phone will support NFC, or near-field communications, for the first time. There are three parts. The first uses Tap + Share -- Microsoft's consumer-facing name for NFC -- to do all sorts of things, like share URLs among NFC devices and read a "tag" on items like a business card, poster, or menu. The second part makes use of a secure SIM card that the carriers can control and that will enable mobile payments.
Microsoft is also introducing its own wallet hub, which will store sensitive information about your accounts, loyalty cards, and so on. It's a very similar system to other third-party wallets available, and to Apple's Passbook feature for iOS 6.
What is this 'talking to apps' thing?
Microsoft demoed an expanded feature in its voice recognition software, TellMe, where you could speak commands to an app, in this case Audible. Audible used Microsoft's voice APIs to build a command mode into its app for Windows Phone. When you enable the command mode, you'll be able to launch, pause, stop, and resume media with your voice. It's a very cool-looking feature that any developer will be able to implement; however there are two historical problems with this type of app that Microsoft will have to counter. First, voice interpretation is typically spotty, and problems sometimes ensue. Second, it does drain the battery -- but just how much is yet to be seen on Windows phones.
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