Microsoft reveals more Windows Phone 8 features at launch

text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla.

Amateur hour is over and Microsoft is set to rejoin the highly competitive smartphone market. This was evident during a webcast event held  yesterdayat Microsoft Canada's Toronto offices where journalists and bloggers were gathered to watch  a Windows 8 event taking place in San Francisco, California.

Windows Phone 8 brings some truly impressive hardware from the likes of Nokia, HTC and Samsung and combines them with one of the most innovative and user-focused mobile operating systems.

The handsets are larger and capable of handling more powerful dual-core processors, feature stunning cameras, LTE connectivity, Near Field Communications and even inductive charging solutions.

In terms of specs and capabilities, the Windows 8 handsets can definitely hang with the best from competing platforms but it is in the sofware offerings where Windows Phone 8 really shines. Microsoft kept mentioning the iPhone during its launch event. How to transfer files from iPhone, migrate from iPhone, move music from iTunes. It seems Redmond is gunning for Apple's market and making sure everyone knows it. They mentioned Android but only to say that Google copied Apple's icon-based OS.

What Windows Phone 8 offers users is a bespoke smartphone experience. One that puts people, not technology, at the centre of the hub.

Here are some highlights from the launch event.

Windows Phone 8 doesn't have anywhere as large an app ecosystem as its competitors but the platform is apparently off to a good start. There are 120,000 Windows Phone apps in 50 languages and 191 countries served. 

This isn't just about quantity either since Microsoft promised to have 46 of the 50 most used apps on competing platforms which is quite a coup. Microsoft must be moving heaven and earth to woo top developers. Some of these outstanding apps are  Temple Run, Cut the Rope, Urbanspoon, Angry Birds Star Wars, and for folks that can get it,  Pandora for Windows Phone 8 (early 2013).

Skype has been re-imagined for Windows Phone 8 and is now capable of running as an always-on app with little or no effect on resources and battery life.

If you've had that chance to check out Skype on Windows 8 (an amazing implementation of the new UI and features), you'll know the best mobile Skype experience will be on WP8.

The Lock Screen of WP8 is apparently more interactive than previously thought since you can decide what content to push forward so every time you look at the lock screen there is updated information even before you unlock the device. 

Data Sense, a new feature that is smart enough to optimize and find ways to use less cell data (saving user's money) is another WP8 innovation. As a result  can adjust how phone behaves to get the most out of your data plan. 45% more web browsing = more savings.

One of the highly touted features of Windows Phone 8 demoed on stage was Kid's Corner, which is a special mode that allows children (or anyone, really) limited access to the phone so they stay away from email or don't inadvertently purchase content. Kid's Corner sandboxes the WP8 experience to games and limited, kid friendly activity.

The new Rooms feature in WP8 is cool. It allows users to create a local mobile network for small groups. Includes messaging, notes and schedules. It is like Exchange for mobile but designed around families and workgroups as a place to share schedules, notes, instant messaging and photos. There's also a way to share Rooms with non Windows Phone 8 smartphones.

Micrsoft's SkyDrive is also more dynamic and files such as photos and documents on apps like OneNote automatically update across various devices. This is very similar to Apple's iCloud implementation and certain features like PhotoStream. The big difference is that Microsof'st SkyDrive gives 7GB free, the most free storage of any service. And unlike iCloud, you can keep photos forever.

There's so much more to Windows Phone 8 and I'll have to cover it in detail if I get the chance to review any of the phones. Speaking of the phones, I saw the Nokia Lumia 920, the HTC 8X as well as the Samsung ATIV S which are all going to be carried by Rogers (who also demoed their WP8 apps). Here are my first impressions of each handset.

Nokia Lumia 920 - An evolution of the Lumia 800 and 900, it is big and hardy and quite possibly the most solid smartphone I've held in a long time. Looks like a winner and given how Nokia poured its heart and soul into making it the best device they could have made at the time, it will not disappoint users. The PureView camera is particularly interesting although I did not try it.

Samsung ATIV S - It has the look and feel of a Galaxy SIII, even the unlock screen is the same. The aluminum finish is better than the plasticky construction of its Android counterpart and the large screen really brings WP8 to life but I find it a bit too big. I am also wondering if it is anywhere as sturdy as the Nokia, I kind of doubt that it is.

HTC Windows Phone 8X - I saw the purple model and it is very attractive. There's a hint of the design and construction of the HTC One X but the 8X is better all around and the screen seemed the best to me. Size and weight is also a good compromise since it isn't as beefy as the Nokia but feels reassuringly sturdy. This is the phone I would get, personally.

Unlike with Windows Phone 7, there seem to be far fewer hardware partners for Windows Phone 8 at launch. No Dell, no LG. This may be because sales were so abysmally poor the first time around or maybe because Microsoft decided to be pickier about whom to invite to the party.

So, that's about it for Windows Phone 8. The hardware is definitely more competitive, the software is innovative now whether these devices have that x-factor to steal users from the competition remains to be seen but there's a lot to feel good about.