Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 8 details

23/06/2012

Microsoft has unveiled the latest version of its mobile operating system as it looks to steal market share away from Apple and Android-powered devices.

Windows Phone 8 - the successor to Windows Phone 7 - is due to launch later in the year and brings a host of new features, including support for multi-core smartphones, Skype capabilities and an improved interface.

The latest iteration features a start screen that uses the entirety of a handset's screen, which allows users to allocate more space to tiles, which are used to display key information from apps.

There are now new small and extra large size options for the tiles, as well as more colour schemes.

Handsets currently running Windows Phone 7 will not be upgradable to the new operating system, but owners will be able to get some features - including the new start screen - through Windows Phone 7.8.

Nokia, which is focusing heavily on Microsoft's OS, recently launched the Lumia 800 and some analysts believe this announcement will hamper sales of Nokia's flagship handset, which is not compatible with the Windows Phone 8.

Posted by Claire Marshall

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