Microsoft unveiled a meaty preview of its upcoming Windows Phone 8 at a press event Wednesday. The company?s newest smartphone, slated to launch sometime this fall, is Windows completely ?re-imagined,? as Corporate vice president Terry Myerson called it.
"We have new silicon, new user experiences, a development platform and new devices," he said. And he didn?t waste any time at all jumping right into the details, noting it as ?the reason we?re here today.?
After discussing the transition from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone and the process of rethinking the entire operating system, Myerson emphasized that Windows Phone 8 was designed to be an ?expression of the user.? He went on to say, ?You?re going to learn so much about people and their lives when you look at their Start screen. This phone knows so much about you. We wanted to deliver the most connected experience that we could.?
Referencing Amazon?s user review page, Myerson pointed out that seven of the top nine phones there were Windows Phones. He called on one particular, albeit overtly poetic, review in which the customer wrote about the handset?s ?beautiful Metro experience and buttery smooth performance.?
Following the intorudction, corporate vice president of Windows Phone Joe Belfiore took the stage and delved deeper. Belfiore said that the Windows Phone 8 will ship with a shared Windows Core. "When we say this, we refer to a set of components like the kernel, graphics support, and it changes what the platform is all about,? he added. That?s good news for current Windows users, as this new smartphone will be a very familiar experience to what they already know and trust. That should also boost compatibility with more apps.
Windows Phone 8 will support the newest hardware and will also offer multi-core support. "The experience people have had on single core devices in the past will get so much better,? Belfiore said. He also noted that one of Microsoft's main concerns at the moment is with efficiency and battery life. Additional features will include support for multi-screen resolution (WVGA; WXGA and 720p). Microsoft is also adding two new resolutions, each of them in high-def. Belfiore said that everything will still function just as it should for the end user, but that these new resolutions will improve the overall experience.
A new version of IE will provide an anti-phishing filter, faster JavaScript performance and even more HTML support. New native code support will bring a better gaming experience to Windows Phone 8, and Belfiore promised that we would see ?some amazing games this year.? The native code support will make it easier for developers to incorporate more apps, better and faster features and innovative games.
NFC support for Windows Phone 8 was another big deal at the event. The handset will include a Wallet feature that could trump its competitors, with a goal of completely replacing one?s entire wallet. It?s intention is to cover more than just payments, leaving room for loyalty and membership cards, deals and NFC?s ?tap to pay? function.
The Windows smartphone will also include its own built-in mapping technology from Nokia. This mapping service will offer offline support, map control for developers and turn-by-turn navigation.
A notable fun feature of Windows Phone 8 for end users is the redesigned Start screen. Users will now see personalized live tiles. "Live tiles are the heart and soul of Windows Phone. It's simple, yet no other platform has them ? It's like a unique fingerprint that resembles each and every one of [our users],? Belfiore said. Users will be able to change the size of their tiles, based on relevance.
We'll keep you posted as more details unfold. In the meantime, head over to our Facebook page and let us know what you think about WP8 so far. Will you be picking up one of these handsets in the fall?
Via: Engadget
?
cranberry sauce recipe mls cup amas 2011 black friday elliot elliot la galaxy
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.