Microsoft launches Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8

Who 8 all the technology pies? It seems Microsoft wants a slice of the smartphone action too.

Microsoft firmly planted its Windows Phone 8 flag in the smartphone pole today with the official launch of its next-gen phone system.

With a bevy of colourful phones and a huge list of cool new features Microsoft is hoping to build upon the modest successes of Windows Phone 7.

It’s clear that Microsoft knows it has a long way to go to win people back from their beloved Apple iPhones and Android devices, that’s why the heart of its Windows Phone 8 message is personal. It’s all about connecting you with your friends, family and contacts, with all your devices connected together bringing all your photos, films, messages and social networks together.

So what’s new?

Live Tiles remain the heart and soul of Windows Phone, and no other phone has them. People can arrange the iconic Start screen however they want by pinning their favourite people, apps, music, games, photos and more. Three sizes of Live Tiles and 20 bright colour choices including cobalt, crimson and lime mean you can personalise your Start screen to be unmistakably yours.

Live Apps

The only phone with Live Apps. Live Apps bring information right to the Start screen, such as the Groupon deal of the day, flight information and news headlines. With Windows Phone 8, Live Apps such as Facebook can even deliver real-time information right to your lock screen with updated wallpaper.

Always-on Skype

With the new Skype app you can make and receive Skype calls just like a regular phone call. Simply tap a friend or family member’s contact card in the People Hub, or just pick up when the phone rings. Skype is always on and available so you can choose how to connect with people.

Top apps

The Windows Phone Store has over 120,000 apps to choose from, with hundreds added every day and hits such as Angry Birds Star Wars, Cut the Rope Experiments, Disney’s Where’s My Water, LivingSocial, Temple Run, Urbanspoon and many more.

Kid’s Corner

This is a worry-free way to share your phone with your kids, so they can play Angry Birds without texting your boss. Parents can now hand over their phones to the kids without worrying about deleted photos, misdirected emails, unapproved purchases or accidental phone calls.

Rooms

This enables you to create private groups of people who have Windows Phone 8 and easily connect with just them. Chat, share calendars, shopping lists or photos in an ongoing conversation where only those invited can join in. You can share some aspects of Rooms with friends and family on other smartphones as well, so it’s not utterly useless.

Data Sense

A clever technology that conserves your data allowance by compressing web images, deferring data tasks to free wifi and automatically adjusting your usage as you get closer to your plan limits. Data Sense also shows how much data is used per app. As you approach your limit, Data Sense notifies you so you can get the most out of your plan.

Wallet and NFC

Windows Phone 8 brings together the best of new wallet technologies, including payments via near-field communications (NFC). The Wallet can also store your debit, credit, loyalty and membership card information on your phone.

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