The Windows Phone Summit--What we know and what we're expecting

Windows Phone Summit

A sneak peek of what'south beyond the escalator for Windows Phone 8

Nosotros're here in lovely (and surprisingly chilly) San Francisco for the other big Microsoft event this week--the Windows Phone Summit.

During this one-twenty-four hours event, Microsoft are expected to testify off bits of Windows Phone 8 aka Apollo. The big question though is what are they going to talk most specifically and what do we already know? We'll give your our thoughts and expectations below. Some of this we've been revealing over the last few weeks and hopefully you were clever enough to catch it.

Upgrades - Will Microsoft finally answer the question regarding legacy devices getting the new OS? Yep, they will. You lot should know our position on the matter, nosotros detailed it back in April when we talked nigh a 2-pronged approach. We're nevertheless continuing by that position.
Resolutions - We told you at that place were 4 a few weeks ago but now nosotros're confident that one of those were dropped. In short, besides the 480x800 brandish resolutions you'll as well meet the add-on of 768x1280 and 720x1280.
A new UI? - Will the new Windows Phone viii wait like Windows Phone vii? For the virtually part we're betting on yeah, it will look the same. There are some changes but if you were expecting it to look similar Windows 8 desktop, we'd say calm your expectations.
Native evolution - Yup, expect some news in this regard for Windows Phone 8. We've heard from game developers that this optional path for app evolution will be discussed
Skype and VOIP - Microsoft are expected to talk about how Skype (and 3rd party VOIP apps) can be more deeply integrated into the OS
Nokia Mapping - Microsoft and Nokia have teamed up and not just for phones only back-stop services. Their relationship goes deep with mapping in Windows Phone.
Windows 8 kernel - What makes Windows Telephone viii such a big deal is the expected switch from Windows CE to NT (and Win viii PRT) for its core. This volition have huge ramifications for app developers and as a technology philosophy for Microsoft.

At that place is a whole list of other changes we're also expecting in Windows Phone viii from Data Sense to NFC to all the enterprise tools (BitLocker) to removal SD card support. Windows Phone 8 should rival Windows Phone "Mango" in terms of new features both for consumers and developers.

Whether or not Microsoft talks about all of that tomorrow remains to exist seen. Our hunch tells us that since there's and so much to reveal, Microsoft will prove only some of Windows Telephone 8 during the superlative. That makes sense if y'all're trying to control the message and trying to ensure that the finer details are all absorbed.

WP Central

The view from the Marriott Marquis final night

Regardless, yous can tune in the official Microsoft live-stream of the event tomorrow. Merely you'll also want to keep a browser Tab open on Windows Phone Central too equally Rafael Rivera and myself volition be on paw here all 24-hour interval making sense of all the news as information technology comes out.

That means yes, we'll have a live WPCentral Podcast sometime tomorrow afternoon, numerous technical articles from myself, Rafael and Jay Bennett, some interviews and every bit much media equally nosotros tin upload.

Information technology all starts at ix:30am PDT/12:30pm EST and you'll definitely want to catch all of it correct here on WPCentral.

The AT&T version of Surface Duo is now getting Android 11

It'southward here

The AT&T version of Surface Duo is now getting Android xi

After a very long look, the original Surface Duo is now eligible to receive its over-the-air OS update to Android 11. Here is what is new and stock-still with the biggest update still for Microsoft's first dual-screen Android device.