Windows Phone 8, the upcoming version of Microsoft’s operating system for smartphones, promises to be business-friendly with native encryption and similar features, a tech site reported Friday (Manila time).
Pocketnow.com said the upcoming OS, presently codenamed “Apollo,” also has data management features including using a proxy server to feed compressed data to the browser so users can save on data costs.
“In an attempt to recapture the enterprise, Windows Phone 8 is said to add native BitLocker encryption -- the same 128-bit, full-disk encryption found on Microsoft most recent desktop platforms. So-called ‘line-of-business’ applications are also gaining support, allowing businesses to deploy proprietary, tailored software behind their company firewalls,” it said.
Another highlight is a feature called DataSmart, which aims to reduce and simplify the tracking of data usage with a breakdown of data consumption and an active attempt to prioritize Wi-Fi connections.
Pocketnow.com said this may be where the Local Scout feature of Bing Maps will come in – to determine the real-time location of nearby hotspots.
But it said what is most interesting is Windows Phone 8’s planned use of a proxy server to feed pages to the built-in Internet Explorer 10 browser.
It said this is similar to Opera Mini and Skyfire, where data is compressed from a server to reduce the amount of data required to view websites - by as much as 30 percent.
“Overall, we’re looking at a lot of changes and additions here, all of which seem designed to either bring Windows Phone in line with other platforms, feature-wise, or make it more closely identical to the desktop version of Windows. It’s probably safe to say that the jump from Mango/Tango to Apollo will be nearly as significant as the transition from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone, and this preview certainly gives us a lot to look forward to,” Pocketnow.com said.
Hardware changes
Quoting Microsoft senior vice president and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore, the overarching theme with regards to the Windows Phone 8 hardware ecosystem will be scale and choice.
Pocketnow.com said “Apollo” will add support for multicore processors, new screen resolutions (a total of four, although actual pixel counts were not specified), and removable microSD card storage.
“It’s clear that Microsoft is addressing one of the platform’s pain points, which is a perceived inability to compete in spec sheet comparisons with the iPhone and Android-based devices,” it said.
Windows Phone 8 will also support near-field communications (NFC) radios, with Belfiore placing specific emphasis on 8’s push into contactless payments or the “wallet experience.”
But the contactless payment feature may have to be carrier-branded and controlled, either by a secure element on the SIM card or utilizing hardware in the phone itself.
Sharing content
On the other hand, tap-to-share capabilities will reportedly work across multiple platforms, allowing desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones to all share content.
The upcoming Windows Phone OS may also share many of the same components as Windows 8, allowing developers to “reuse” most of their code when porting an app from desktop to phone.
But while Windows Phone 8 will reportedly scrap integration with the desktop Zune client in favor of a syncing relationship with a dedicated companion application, it may give a partner client on Windows 8 for the Xbox Companion app.
The OS will also support Microsoft’s cloud-based file storage service Skydrive, with Belfiore citing an example of instantly having one’s music collection available on a newly-purchased Windows Phone, without the need for a PC sync.
100k apps
Pocketnow.com said Microsoft expects 100,000 apps to be in the Marketplace, tipped for imminent worldwide availability, at the launch of Windows Phone 8 - rumored sometime in the fourth quarter.
“The biggest news on the app front is probably the addition of native code support, which will enable more powerful applications as well as ease the porting of code from programs initially developed for iOS or Android,” it said.
Also mentioned is support for app-to-app communication, as well as a revamped Skype client that hooks directly into the OS, letting Skype calls behave almost identically to regular, non-VoIP telephony.
The camera will now be based around so-called lens apps where Microsoft provides a basic camera interface that can be skinned by OEMs or overlaid with viewfinders from third-parties. — TJD, GMA News
source:gmanetwork.com
