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Windows Phone 8 is the second generation of the Windows Phone mobile operating system, as officially confirmed by Microsoft at an MSDN seminar in August 2011 and previewed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012. It was released to manufacturing on September 14, 2012 and released to consumers on October 29, 2012.

Devices were initially launched by four companies: Nokia, Samsung, Huawei, and HTC. All devices are based on System on Chips from Qualcomm. Current Windows Phone 7.x devices can not run or update to Windows Phone 8 and new applications compiled specifically for Windows Phone 8 are not made available for Windows Phone 7.x devices.

Unveiling
On June 20, 2012, Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo), a second generation of the Windows Phone operating system for release later in 2012. Windows Phone 8 replaces its previously Windows CE-based architecture with one based on the Windows NT kernel with many components shared with Windows 8, allowing applications to be easily ported between the two platforms.

Windows Phone 8 will also allow devices with larger screens (the 3 confirmed sizes are "WVGA 800x480 15:9","WXGA 1280x768 15:9","720p 1280x720 16:9" resolutions) and multi-core processors, NFC (which can primarily be used to share content and perform payments), backwards compatibility with Windows Phone 7 apps, improved support for removable storage (which now functions more similarly to how such storage is handled on Windows and Android), a redesigned home screen incorporating resizable tiles across the entire screen, Nokia Maps integration, a new Wallet hub (to integrate NFC payments, coupon websites such as Groupon, and loyalty cards), and "first-class" integration of VoIP applications into the core functions of the OS. Additionally, Windows Phone 8 will include more features aimed at the enterprise market, such as device management, BitLocker encryption, and the ability to create a private Marketplace to distribute apps to employeesfeatures expected to meet or exceed the enterprise capabilities of the previous Windows Mobile platform. Additionally, Windows Phone 8 will support over-the-air updates, and all Windows Phone 8 devices will receive software support for at least 18 months after their release.

In the interest of ensuring it is released with devices designed to take advantage of its new features, Windows Phone 8 will not be made available as an update for existing Windows Phone 7 devices. However, a future update, Windows Phone 7.8 will backport the redesigned home screen.

Features
The following features were confirmed at Microsoft's 'sneak peek' at Windows Phone on June 20, 2012 and the unveiling of Windows Phone 8 on October 29, 2012:

Core
Windows Phone 8 is the first mobile OS from Microsoft to use the Windows NT kernel, which is the same kernel that runs Windows 8. The operating system adds improved file system, drivers, network stack, security components, media and graphics support. Using the NT kernel, Windows Phone can now support multi-core CPUs of up to 64 cores, as well as 1280x720 and 1280x768 resolutions, in addition to the base 800x480 resolution already available on Windows Phone 7. Furthermore, Windows Phone 8 also adds support for MicroSD cards, which are commonly used to add extra storage to phones.

Due to the switch to the NT kernel, Windows Phone 8 also supports native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption and Secure Boot. Windows Phone 8 also supports NTFS file system due to this switch.

Web
Internet Explorer 10 is the default browser in Windows Phone 8, and carries over key improvements also found in the desktop version. IE10 had an HTML5 score of 320, the same as the desktop version. This score is behind IOS6, but faster than Android 4's browser.

Multitasking
Instead of the card-based multitasking utilized in Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8 includes true background multitasking. Multitasking is still invoked by pressing the "Back" key available on all Windows Phone devices and now it can support up to eight apps at once.

Kids Corner
Windows Phone 8 adds Kids Corner, which operates as a kind of "guest mode". When Kids Corner is activated, apps and games installed on the device can be played or accessed without touching the data of the main user signed in to the Windows Phone. The start screen, applications, and information are protected by the password that the user sets.

Rooms
Rooms is a feature added specifically for group messaging and communication. Using Rooms, users can contact and see Facebook and Twitter updates only from members of the group created. It has five areas, chat, members, calenders, notes, and photos. The chat section allows the user to message every contact included in that room Simultaneously. Using the members section, the user can create new rooms with any of the contacts on the phone. Calenders, notes, and photos let people partaking in the rooms share their notes, calenders, and photos.

Data Sense
As an exclusive feature to Verizon Windows Phones, Data Sense allows users to set data usage limits based on their individual plan. DataSense can restrict background data when the user is near their set limit. A heart icon is used to notify the user when background tasks are being automatically stopped. It also tells the user how much data each app is using so they can make informed decisions on what to do when the user is close to their data limit.

NFC and Wallet
Select Windows Phones running Windows Phone 8 add NFC capability, which allows for data transfer between two Windows Phone devices, or between a Windows Phone device, and a Windows 8 computer or tablet, using a feature called "Tap and Send".

In certain markets, NFC support on Windows Phone 8 can also be used to conduct in-person transactions through credit and debit cards stored on the phone through the Wallet application. Carriers may activate the NFC feature through SIM or integrated phone hardware. Orange will be first carrier to support NFC on Windows Phone 8. Besides NFC support for transactions, Wallet can also be used to store credit cards in order to make Windows Phone Store and other in-app purchases (which is also a new feature), and can be used to store coupons and loyalty cards.

Nokia Maps
Nokia Maps, which is based on Navteq, replaces Bing Maps as the standard mapping application for all devices running Windows Phone 8, as opposed to only Nokia devices in Windows Phone 7. All devices also have access to Nokia Drive, which includes turn-by-turn directions for navigation. It also allows the user to download maps for offline use and pin favorite locations. Nokia's database has expanded in both search and Local Scout. Local Scout now uses both social networks and past searches to make suggestions.

Other Features

 * Xbox SmartGlass allows control of an Xbox 360 with a phone (Available for Windows Phone, iOS and Android)
 * Xbox Music and Xbox Video services support playback of video and audio files in Windows Phone, as well as music purchases from a selection of 30 million songs.
 * Easy transfers
 *  Native code support (C and C++), allows for simplified porting from platforms such as Android, Symbian, and iOS
 * Simplified porting of Windows 8 apps to Windows Phone 8 (compatibility with Windows 8 Metro apps)
 * Remote device management of Windows Phone similar to management of Windows PCs
 * VoIP and video chat integration for any VoIP or video chat app (integrates into the phone dialer, people hub)
 * Firmware over the air for Windows Phone updates
 * Minimum 18 month support of Windows Phone updates to Windows Phone 8 devices
 * Camera app now supports "lenses", which allow third parties to skin and add features to camera interface. Windows Phone 8 also allows for photos and videos to be taken when the phone is locked.
 * Native screen capture is added by pressing home and power buttons simultaneously
 * Hebrew language support is added for Microsoft to introduce Windows Phone to the Israeli market.

Windows Phone App
The Windows Phone app succeeds Zune Software as a sync application to transfer documents, music, videos, and other files between Windows Phone 8 and a Windows computer or tablet. A version for Mac OSX computers is also available.

Reception
Windows Phone 8 was met with mostly positive reception, with reviewers generally praising the increased capabilities of the system, but criticizing the smaller app selection when compared to other phones. Brad Molen of Engadget mentioned that "Windows Phone 8 is precisely what we wanted to see come out of Redmond in the first place," and praised the more customizable Start Screen, compatibility with Windows 8, and improved NFC support. However, Molen also noted the drawback of a lack of apps in the Windows Phone Store. The Verge gave the OS a 7.9/10 rating, stating that "Redmond is presenting one of the most compelling ecosystem stories in the business right now," but criticized the lack of a unified notifications center. Alexandra Chang of Wired gave Windows Phone 8 an 8/10, noting improvement in features previously lacking in Windows Phone 7, such as multi-core processor support, faster Internet browsing, and the switch from Bing Maps to Nokia Maps, but again criticized the smaller selection of apps.

Reported problems

 * Wi-Fi connection is lost when the phone is locked. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and said that a fix is coming soon.
 * Windows Phone 8 users are reporting random reboots and freezes while in use.
 * Battery issues have been reported that seem to be fixed by disabling the tap + send (NFC) feature.
 * Many users are reporting Bluetooth pairing issues with car Bluetooth systems
 * Videos larger than 4GB get corrupted when transferred to the computer.