apollo Exclusive: Windows Phone 8 detailed

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go

If you thought Mango was the bee's knees, just wait till you get a hold of Apollo. No, seriously, keep waiting 'cause we have no idea when that will happen. While we still can't say when Windows Phone 8 will be making its way to a handset near you, we do have quite a few new details about the mobile OS courtesy of the folks over at PocketNow. The site managed to snag a copy of a video starring Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore talking about what's coming in the next major revision. Those of you concerned with Microsoft's inability to go toe to toe with Apple and Google on specs can breathe a bit easier as new screen resolutions (four in total) and dual-core CPUs will be supported, while those clamoring for more storage will be happy to hear that microSD support has returned -- this time in anofficial capacity. Rounding out the new hardware features will be NFC support, including the Beam-like ability to share content by tapping, though, it'll have the advantage of being able to share with Windows 8 based tablets and laptops as well. And, speaking of Windows 8, its similarly numbered, phone-centric sibling won't just share a UI, it'll have many of the core components, including large chunks of the kernel, networking stack and security features -- which should make porting apps from the desktop to the handset a relatively simple affair.

Amazingly enough, the list of improvements doesn't end there. If you've been wondering when Microsoft was going to put its Skype acquisition to good use, wonder no more. A Windows Phone app for the VoIP service will debut alongside Apollo and will feature deep integration with the OS, including the ability to place calls the same as you would standard voice calls. A new live tile and app called DataSmart will make it easier for users to manage their data usage and ensure they don't end up eating insane overage fees. To milk every last bit out of that data plan Windows Phone will favor WiFi over a cellular connection and can be programmed to automatically connect to carrier-owned hotspots when they're in range. And, if that weren't enough, Microsoft plans to use proxy servers to compress web pages before feeding them to the mobile version of Internet Explorer 10, not unlike Opera Mini. Those of you who doubted that Windows Phone could actually keep pace with Android and iOS, now might be a good time to reevaluate your position. Hit up the source link for a few more details.

If you want to get all of the details in a nice easy to glance list head after the break for a convenient bullet point presentation.

• 
  Support for dual cores
  
• Support for four different resolutions, though no specifics were given
  
• NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines
  
• Carrier control and branding of "wallet" element is possible via SIM or phone hardware
  
• MicroSD support added for expandable storage
  
• Transitions to core components from desktop, including kernel, network stack, security components and media support
  
• Simplified porting of desktop apps to mobile
  
• Zune desktop integration scrapped in favor of new, unnamed syncing app
  
• Deeper Skydrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections
  
• Xbox Companion app will get Windows 8 partner client
  
• Native code support, simplified porting from Android and iOS
  
• App-to-app communication and integration
  
• Skype client with deep OS hooks that will make it almost identical to placing standard voice calls
  
• Camera app now supports "lenses" which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
  
• DataSmart tracks and reports usage via app and live tile
  
• Gives preferential treatment to WiFi, can automatically connect to carrier-owned hotspots
  
• Proxy server will compress websites in Internet Explorer 10 up to 30 percent
  
• Native Bitlocker encryption
  
• Support for proprietary, custom built apps to be deployed behind company firewalls
  

Engadget

[Vice]

but but but I thought Windows Phone didn't need Dual Core! :rolleyes:

Better late than never.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

PocketNow says 'Multi-Core', not 'Dual-Core', so it could be anything.

:woot:

[articuno1au]

but but but I thought Windows Phone didn't need Dual Core! :rolleyes:

Better late than never.

Stunningly ignorant..

It doesn't "need" dual core, but having it won't hurt things.

[Vice]

Stunningly ignorant..

It doesn't "need" dual core, but having it won't hurt things.

Of course the OS doesn't need dual cores. But I've been saying on this forum for months how having a Dual Core CPU would open up more application possibilities that simply aren't possible with the slower Single Core processors available. And all you Windows Phone fanboys kept saying no no no Windows Phone doesn't need that, the apps are better the developers are better they can use unicorn tears to make apps run better than on Android and iOS.

Fact is Dual Core is coming and it's about time too.

[BajiRav]

but but but I thought Windows Phone didn't need Dual Core! :rolleyes:

Better late than never.

It doesn't need because it works smoothly on "old" hardware but that doesn't mean it can't get into a ****ing match with iOS/Android.

Apart from that, this is probably needed as I guess NT will be heavier than CE?

Of course the OS doesn't need dual cores. But I've been saying on this forum for months how having a Dual Core CPU would open up more application possibilities that simply aren't possible with the slower Single Core processors available. And all you Windows Phone fanboys kept saying no no no Windows Phone doesn't need that, the apps are better the developers are better they can use unicorn tears to make apps run better than on Android and iOS. Fact is Dual Core is coming and it's about time too.

Totally agreed but most of the people trolling WP for lack of multi-core support are doing it solely based on the spec sheet and not the actual need.

I can't think of any popular app(except for games) that will benefit from a multi-core phone - probably because I use WP that lacks "quality apps" :p

PocketNow says 'Multi-Core', not 'Dual-Core', so it could be anything. :woot:

If this carries over NT 6.2 as it stands today, it can theoretically support 256 cores :p (much like Android I guess) but probably optimized for single, dual and quad core processors.

[articuno1au]

Of course the OS doesn't need dual cores. But I've been saying on this forum for months how having a Dual Core CPU would open up more application possibilities that simply aren't possible with the slower Single Core processors available. And all you Windows Phone fanboys kept saying no no no Windows Phone doesn't need that, the apps are better the developers are better they can use unicorn tears to make apps run better than on Android and iOS.

Fact is Dual Core is coming and it's about time too.

Good luck finding a quote of me saying anything like that.

The reason it's better is everything is hardware accelerated, something which iOS and Android are only just implementing, but sure; your sarcastic remarks works well too.

It doesn't need because it works smoothly on "old" hardware but that doesn't mean it can't get into a ****ing match with iOS/Android.

Apart from that, this is probably needed as I guess NT will be heavier than CE?

Totally agreed but most of the people trolling WP for lack of multi-core support are doing it solely based on the spec sheet and not the actual need.

I can't think of any popular app(except for games) that will benefit from a multi-core phone - probably because I use WP that lacks "quality apps" :p

NT is slightly heavier than CE, but MS have been pushing towards the WinMin idea for a while, so I don't think there will be much of a performance hit.

[Vice]

Totally agreed but most of the people trolling WP for lack of multi-core support are doing it solely based on the spec sheet and not the actual need.

I can't think of any popular app(except for games) that will benefit from a multi-core phone - probably because I use WP that lacks "quality apps" :p

The main apps I can think of are Games. But secondary to those think Augmented reality software, video encoding (like you shoot some video on your phone and want to edit it on your phone). These are good usage scenarios for multiple processors. I do not believe Windows Phone needs two cores to run the operating system or any of the apps currently available for it either. What I'm thinking about is the future and the possibilities.

I invision a future where our phones can connect to our desktop display, keyboard and mouse and give us a desktop quality experience. Bumped up specs can make this kind of future a reality.

Good luck finding a quote of me saying anything like that.

The reason it's better is everything is hardware accelerated, something which iOS and Android are only just implementing, but sure; your sarcastic remarks works well too.

Then you're one of the good guys, have a cookie. Most of the other users here who defend Windows Phone 7 do it blindly without any kind of reality check. I've seen people on here say that Windows Phone will never need Dual Cores. Not even in any future versions. That 2.0GHz Single Core processors are coming and that is what Microsoft will use. This bit of News about Windows Phone 8 totally contradicts those assertions.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

That 2.0GHz Single Core processors are coming and that is what Microsoft will use. This bit of News about Windows Phone 8 totally contradicts those assertions.

Where did you read that?

[Vice]

Where did you read that?

Here on Neowin by Windows Phone apologists. One of them were predicting that 2.0GHz processors by Qualcomm would be used in future Windows Phones instead of Dual Core processors with lower clock speeds. It was just a guess. And a ridiculous one.