14 DAY TRIAL // This fall, Microsoft should bring to the market a new flavor of its mobile operating system. Dubbed Windows Phone 8, the platform is expected to bring various enhancements over the current platform version, yet specific info on its features lack at the moment.
However, that does not prevent enthusiasts from imagining what the next version of the OS would have to offer to them, and a new concept based on Windows Phone 8 has emerged recently.
Running on a Nokia phone, which might be easily called Nokia Lumia 908, the concept focuses heavily on the platform’s interface and various features that would easily make users fall in love with it.
In light of this platform concept, Windows Phone 8 will supposedly feature the same Metro UI as Windows 8, but it will bring capabilities specific to a mobile OS as well.
Thus, we could see a Jump List included into the mix, for fast access to features, along with pinch-to-zoom, flexible Live Tiles, called Organic Live Tiles, and support for Mini Hubs.
Additionally, the concept Windows Phone 8 platform would provide users with more customization capabilities than what the 7.5 version of the OS was able to.
There will also be better multitasking, with a force close feature added to the equation. When enabled, it would make the live tiles showing screen previews interactive, and it would also offer users the possibility to close all apps at once.
In addition to the usual set of Hubs, there would also be a Wireless Hub to provide fast access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, phone radios and FM radio settings.
When compared to Windows Phone 7.5, the upcoming platform would also offer improved Bing search and other capabilities related to Microsoft’s service, such as the possibility to easily save or share searches.
A My Windows Phone Hub would be included as the main center for device and app settings, while also offering details on the OS, carrier, content and promotions, and the like.
Notifications would be larger, and they should enable users to either directly complete a task, or open a specific application or screen to perform actions related to it.
Windows Phone 8 will also sport a social center, the Me Hub, offering info on social networking activity and pulling details from various destinations, including Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Google+, LinkedIn, so.cl, and more.
Other enhancements in Windows Phone 8 would include the availability of Xbox Music and Xbox Video, different sections for Music, Video, Podcasts and Radio, access to third-party services such as Netflix, Hulu, Spotify and BBC iPlayer, and the like.
Of course, users will also be able to download and install applications and games from Microsoft’s official app portal, and they would benefit from access to other services from the Redmond-based software giant as well.
More details on what this Windows Phone 8 platform concept has to offer can be found in this article on Neowin. More slides accompanying the explanations are available there as well.
