Microsoft officially unveiled Windows Phone 8 yesterday at an event in San Francisco, California.
As part of the announcement, Microsoft revealed a number of new features for the latest version of its operating system for smartphones.
According to its Microsoft’s website, Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of the Windows Phone Division said, “œWe can‘t wait for the world to meet Windows Phone 8, the most personal smartphone there is. Windows Phone 8 comes on a range of phones that are stunning, colourful and unique.“
Microsoft is calling the new OS “a truly personal phone experience” with the use of customiseable Live Tiles available in three sizes and in 20 bright colours at the centre of the Windows Phone experience.
New features includes:
- Live Apps: Live Apps bring information right to the Start screen, such as the Groupon deal of the day, flight information and news headlines, delivering real-time information.
- Top apps: The Windows Phone Store has 120,000 apps to choose from, with hundreds added every day and hits coming this holiday, such as Angry Birds Star Wars and Cut the Rope Experiments. Pandora, the leading Internet radio service, is coming to Windows Phone in early 2013 with one year of ad-free music.
- Kid‘s Corner: Kid‘s Corner is a worry-free way for parents to share their phone with their kids, so they can play “œAngry Birds“ without accidentally texting, emailing, deleting photos or making unapproved purchases.
- Data Sense: This new feature helps you surf more without worrying about going over your data limit. Data sense helps conserve your data allowance by compressing Web images, deferring data tasks to free Wi-Fi and automatically adjusting your usage as you get closer to your plan limits. Data Sense also shows how much data is used per app.
- Wallet and near-field communications: Windows Phone 8 brings together the best of new wallet technologies, including payments via near-field communications (NFC). The Wallet can also store your debit, credit, loyalty and membership card information on your phone.
- Always-on, premium Skype experience: With the new Skype app, coming soon to Windows Phone 8, you can make and receive Skype calls just like a regular phone call.
Leading up to the launch, Nokia, Samsung and HTC have announced a number of devices for Windows Phone 8 including the Nokia Lumia 920, 822, 820 and 810, The Windows Phone 8X by HTC and the Samsung ATIV S.
