Microsoft has announced the next major iteration of Windows Phone, aptly named Windows Phone 8.
The revamped Start Screen is what’ll grab your attention first and foremost. Goodbye two-column standard similar-sized tiles. Hello multi-column resizable tiles.
NFC and multi-core support will also finally be making its way the Windows Phone platform, as well as support for other screen resolutions, possibly paving the way for speedy Retina-equivalent display-equipped Windows Phone devices down the road.
And if iOS 6’ got deep Facebook and Tweeter integration, Windows Phone 8’s got, for its part, Skype, finally putting to good use their big fish acquisition.
Skydrive will also be deeply rooted into the system now so you can sync data, including your music collection.
And finally, FINALLY, microSD cards will be supported in Windows Phone 8. Yes!
That’s the good news.
Bad news is, current Windows Phone 7.5 devices won’t be upgraded to Windows Phone 8, ending the debate on whether current Windows Phone handset will get the Apollo treatment or not.
That’s not to say, however, existing Windows Phone users won’t get treated to any Windows Phone 8 action. There will be an update released, Windows Phone 7.8, for current Windows Phone devices, which will bring the new Start Screen and a few other treats over the border. And the best part of this consolation prize? It can be done over WiFi.
Not exactly greats news for current Windows Phone users, but hey, we’ll take what we can get, right?
More info on Windows 8 can be found here.
