Pocketnow has managed to obtain details about next version of windows phone,

See it here http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/exclusive-windows-phone-8-detailed

via cdn.pocketnow.com

IMAGE IS A MOCKUP

Here are the details with my speculations,

1.Apollo will add support for multi-core processors

Not "dual-core" but "multi-core", meaning Quad-core and Hexa-core may be possible in future.

2.New screen resolutions (a total of four, although actual pixel counts weren't specified)

The most common are HVGA (320x480), WVGA (480x800), qHD (540x960) and HD (720x1280)

hopefully this will allow more differentiation for the OEM partners.

3.Removable microSD card storage

This will allow for cheaper devices with less than 2GB user available memory,

Due to removable nature of the SD card, this will also allow mass storage mode without the filesystem.

4.NFC radios will also be supported, with Belfiore placing specific emphasis on 8's push into contactless payments. The "Wallet experience," as he calls it, will have the capability to be carrier-branded and controlled, either by a secure element on the SIM card or utilizing hardware in the phone itself. In addition, tap-to-share capabilities will reportedly work across multiple platforms, allowing desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones to all share content.

Note that SIM card NFC chip is supported, this will allow current Gen devices to use NFC.

Tap to share capabilities means Bluetooth file sharing where NFC is used to pair the devices.

Windows Phone 8 won't just share a UI with the next-generation desktop and tablet OS, apparently: it will use many of the same components as Windows 8, allowing developers to "reuse -- by far -- most of their code" when porting an app from desktop to phone, according to Belfiore. He specifically mentions the kernel, networking stacks, security, and multimedia support as areas of heavy overlap.

It will share the kernel with Windows 8

as Windows CE 6.0 doesn't support dual-cores

and the docked multitasking apps show how Metro style apps may work on a phone.

via blogs.msdn.com

Look at the All things Digital app!

It looks perfect for a Phone in this position.

He specifically mentions the kernel, networking stacks, security, and multimedia support as areas of heavy overlap.

Multimedia support same as windows 8!

That means support for avi (divx/xvid) format.

Moreover, Windows Phone 8 will reportedly scrap integration with the desktop Zune client in favor of a syncing relationship with a dedicated companion application. In other words, Microsoft is bringing back a (presumably) richer version of ActiveSync after letting that program die out for the most part.

No more Zune.

But another application.

The Xbox Companion app, currently found on Windows Phones, will see a partner client on Windows 8. Skydrive support promises seamless sharing of data between devices; Belfiore gives the example of instantly having one's music collection available on a newly-purchased Windows Phone, without the need for a PC sync.

Unified ecosystem.

The biggest news on the app front is probably the addition of native code support, which will enable more powerful applications as well as ease the porting of code from programs initially developed for iOS or Android.

So C++ support will allow other gaming Engines and easy porting as well as (more) fluid apps.

...support for app-to-app communication, as well as a revamped Skype client that hooks directly into the OS, letting Skype calls behave almost identically to regular, non-VoIP telephony.

So Integration with Skype but only through the app.

The camera will now be based around so-called lens apps: Microsoft provides a basic camera interface that can either be skinned by OEMs or overlaid with viewfinders from third-parties. Belfiore gives the example of a lens app that combines burst mode with smile detection to capture a perfect portrait shot.

The main reason why Lumia 800's camera is disappointing when compared to N9 is due to software which allows limited customization from Nokia.

So expect N8 successor.

One of the main highlights of the overview was a feature called DataSmart, which aims to reduce, and simplify the tracking of, data usage. Besides providing a breakdown of data consumption, as other platforms already do, Windows Phone 8 will actively attempt to give Wi-Fi connections precedence, going so far as to automatically connect to carrier-owned WLANs when in range. To that end, the Local Scout feature of Bing Maps will enable the real-time location of nearby hotspots. Data usage will also be made glanceable thanks to a live tile.

Similar to Windows 8 but will help conserve Data Usage.

Perhaps most interesting is Windows Phone 8's planned use of a proxy server to feed pages to Internet Explorer 10. Like Opera Mini and the Skyfire of old, this service uses server-side compression to reduce the amount of data required to view websites -- in this case, by a claimed 30%.

IE 10 as you may know adds more HTML5 standards getting 306 points on HTML5 test.

The points will increase in final version as IE10 is still pre-Beta (pp2).

30% reduction seems a bit low as Opera Mini boasts of 90% still useful though.

Business support



In an attempt to recapture the enterprise, Windows Phone 8 is said to add native BitLocker encryption -- the same 128-bit, full-disk encryption found on Microsoft most recent desktop platforms. So-called "line-of-business" applications are also gaining support, allowing businesses to deploy proprietary, tailored software behind their company firewalls.

Better for business I guess.

This if true will address most of the negative points such as:-

1.Multicore support.

2.Better Resolutions.

3.Mass storage mode.

4.Support for more Codecs.

5.Bluetooth file transfer support.

6.Better HTML5 support.

7.NFC support.

8.Skype Integration.

9.Better Camera.

10.Dependence on Zune

11.Easy portability of apps.

What is not clear,

1.Support for TV out

2.File system(not necessary)

3.Equalizer for Music player.

This is pure speculation but may be extremely close to the final product.





This leak seems intentional from Microsoft, as some analysts (Read:Eldar Murtazin) have started to spread FUD about apollo.

What do you want in Windows Phone 8?