Windows Phone 8



Windows Phone 8 (codename Apollo) is the next generation of Windows Phone, as officially confirmed by MS at an MSDN seminar in August 2011 and previewed at Microsofts 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012. Devices will be launched by four companies, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC and others include Acer Lenovo and ZTE. All devices will be based on System on Chips from Qualcomm (Snapdragon S4 Plus). Current Windows Phone 7.x devices will not be able to run or update to Windows Phone 8 and new applications compiled specifically for Windows Phone 8 will not be made available for Windows Phone 7.x devices.

Table of versions: Windows Phone 8 Apollo

Version....8.0.9903.10

Release date....29-Oct-2012

Features

  • Transitions to core components from Windows 8, including kernel, file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support
  • Support for multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores (system is currently optimized for Snapdragon S4 dual and quad core processors)
  • Support for WXGA (1280×720, 1280×768) resolutions
  • Support for MicroSD cards
  • Internet Explorer 10
  • Background multitasking (enhanced)
  • NFC support added, including payment and content sharing with WP8 and Windows 8 machines (NFC is partially supported in Tango update, e.g. ZTE Orbit)
  • Native code support (C and C++), simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS (Native code is also supported in WP7 for vendors, carriers and key partners)
  • Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 'Modern UI' apps)
  • Carrier control and branding of "wallet" element is possible via SIM or phone hardware (Orange will be first)
  • Nokia map technology (Navteq maps with offline mode, turn-by-turn directions)
  • Native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption, Secure Boot
  • Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
  • VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
  • In-app purchases
  • Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
  • Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to WP8 devices
  • Camera app now supports "lenses", which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface
  • Camera burst mode that let users choose the best picture from a series of pictures
  • Camera panoramic setting using Microsoft's PhotoSynth technology
  • Possibility to take screenshots
  • Deeper SkyDrive integration, including ability to sync data such as music collections
  • Data Sense tracks and reports data usage, lowers data usage when nearing pre-set data cap, enables compression of websites through cloud service, locates WiFi hotspots
  • Scrapped Zune desktop software for syncing
  • Kids corner
  • Rooms
  • Live Apps


Version....8.0.10211.204

Release date....11-Dec-2012

Features

  • Messaging improvements - multiple recipients when sending messages, automatically saving unsent drafts, possibility to edit forwarded messages
  • Text replies to incoming calls
  • Internet Explorer improvements - prevent pictures from downloading automatically, possibility to delete selected sites from browsing history
  • Wi-Fi connectivity - option of keeping WiFi alive while screen is off, Wi-Fi network prioritization
  • Other unnamed improvements



source...wikipedia