Windows Phone 8 “Apollo” Detailed

Windows Phone 8, codenamed Apollo, will be based on the Windows 8 kernel and not on Windows CE as are current Windows Phone versions. This will not effect app compatibility. Microsoft expects 100,000 apps to be in the Marketplace at the launch of Windows Phone 8, and they will be all compatible with Windows Phone 8.

Windows Phone 8 will not only have similar UI as Windows 8 but will use many of the same components as Windows 8, allowing developers to reuse most of their codes when porting an app from desktop to phone, according to Belfiore. Windows Phone 8 is part of the “Windows Reimagined” campaign that Microsoft announced for Windows 8. This makes sense as they’re companion products in every sense of the word.

Windows Phone 8 will offer far more hardware choices than are available today, which will come in more form factors and offer more screen resolutions.

New features of Windows Phone 8 include:

• Data Smart: A way to actively save cellular data when possible and avoid “bill shock”.
• App-to-App communication: Windows Phone 8 apps, like Windows 8 apps, are sandboxed from each other.
• Internet Explorer 10 Mobile: Highly tuned version of IE which utilizes the latest web technologies.
• Shared components with Windows 8: The kernel, multi-core processor support, sensor fusion, security model, network, and video and graphics technologies are coming to Phone from Windows 8.
• Companion experiences with Windows 8: Microsoft is offering a very similar user experience across phone (Windows Phone 8), PC (Windows 8), and TV (Xbox vNext).
• Companion experiences with Windows 8: A new sync client and a set of common cloud services that will work across all Microsoft devices to sync content.
• SkyDrive integration: Microsoft will make your content available on all of its platforms via SkyDrive.
• Skype app: Still a separate but better app and not integrated into OS. Still optional.
• NFC and Wallet: Windows Phone 8 will allow users to securely pay and share via NFC and manage an integrated Wallet experience.
• Local Scout: Now with personal recommendations.
• Camera improvements: New “lens apps” and a far more powerful camera experience.
• Business features: Hardware accelerated encryption with BitLocker and always-on Secure Boot capabilities. Also, it will support additional Exchange ActiveSync policies and System Center configuration settings and inventory capabilities.

(Via)