Windows Phone 8 to Receive Top Notch Hardware

Microsoft's standing in the smartphone operating system (OS) marketplace may have been seriously hurt by the many delays associated with Windows Phone 7, it's most current offering. But a newly leaked video suggests work on the next Windows Phone system is well underway and could make up for several current failings.

The video, which was leaked to the Pocket Now website, was produced by Microsoft for Nokia, which now uses Windows Phone 7 in almost all of its new smartphones (one of Microsoft's few mobile success stories in recent years).

It's not clear why Microsoft created the video, though it may have allowed more hands-on demonstrations of the work being done on Windows Phone 8. (Source: pocketnow.com)

Top-Notch Hardware Gets Support

Windows Phone 8 is likely to include major changes to both hardware and software capabilities.

Microsoft's new OS will support removable SD memory cards, higher-resolution displays, and multi-core processors, allowing smartphones to deliver faster performance with fewer freezes and glitches during complex tasks, such as video editing. (Source: cnet.com)

The new system will also support near field communications, a wireless communication protocol with a range of just a few centimeters. This will allow users to pay for purchases simply by swiping their phone near a sensor. It can also be used to transfer contact details or files to other phones without a physical connection.

Of course, all these features are already found on iPhones and Android handsets, so this is largely a case of Microsoft playing catch-up. Many experts argue most of these capabilities should have already been available in Windows Phone 7.

Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 Share Code

Regarding software, Windows Phone 8 is expected to complete Microsoft's work to bring its mobile and desktop operating systems together.

Much of the "under the hood" code in the new system will be copied from Windows 8, which itself will be designed to work well on both conventional computers and mobile devices.

Microsoft's idea is that software developers will find it far easier and more appealing to create applications that work on everything from a desktop PC to a tablet to a smartphone.

As such, it greatly increases the potential audience for apps and could win over some developers to Microsoft who'd normally choose to simply concentrate on building for Apple and / or Android devices.