Ten features of Windows Phone 8

Microsoft announced the next generation of its mobile OS, Windows Phone 8 at an event in San Francisco, California. 10 features of the new OS are as follows.

1. Windows phone devices will finally come with multicore chipset support i.e., it will support dual-core chipsets. Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC will launch Windows Phone 8 devices running on current generation Qualcomm hardware.

2. The all-new OS will come with an all-new browser - Internet Explorer 10. Microsoft says that the browser will be at par with the desktop version.

3. The biggest disadvantage of any Windows Phone 7.5 device has been the lack of expandable memory. With Windows Phone 8, Microsoft is bringing with it MicroSD card support. The SD card will be usable for storing and accessing images, music and videos, as well as for "installing apps."

4. Windows Phone 8 will support NFC natively. The feature will be used in everything from its mobile wallet system, to sharing and synchronizing apps.

5. Nokia maps will make an appearance on all the devices that will run Windows Phone 8. Nokia Lumia devices will get their own exclusive improvements however, from photo uploading, to place reviews and favourites sync. A location pinning feature will be available on the Nokia Transit start menu, and Nokia Drive will get the My Commute feature, starting from Live Tile information, to route selection and estimated time.

6. One of the biggest refinements is the new Start screen on Windows Phone 8, which will allow users to create their own customized home screens with greater ease. They will be able to resize their Live Tiles into large, medium, and small sizes. Microsoft will also be allowing for greater colour customization of the Start screen.

7. Windows Phone 7.5 apps will work on WP8.

8. Skype too will be built into the new OS. The Skype interface will be as readily available as a regular call, complete with caller ID. It will also be able to run in the background.

9. In-app purchases which were previously unavailable to Windows Phone users will now be available through Windows Phone 8.

10. The new OS will also bring with it better multitasking and the ability for some app to function in the background such as maps.