Note: the first few screenshots were low quality, the later images are fine once the connection improved. I’ll update the images once the session is downloadable

Summary

(click to read more)

Session starts

Starts off saying that Microsoft is innovating by releasing Windows 8 this year
Today they are announcing Windows Phone 8. It continues Microsoft’s vision for the phone

  1. Windows phone was going to be a more personal experience
  2. The experience on the phone was going to be the most relevant to the user (via sensors, internet, etc.)
  3. Wanted to deliver the most connected experience (cloud, etc.)

The public love Windows Phone 7. Based on customer reviews of phones sold on Amazon:
5 of the top 7 phones are Windows Phone 7 based.
7 of the top 9 are Windows Phone 7 based.

Joe Belfiore comes on stage

Historically, phones were based on Windows CE
Shared common core between Windows 8 & Windows Phone 8
The kernel, networking, files system, media
The Windows kernel is used by 1.3 billion people (so it is well tested).
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With a shared common core, developers who are using Windows 8, are able to move apps easier to Windows Phone 8. Which is better for developers & consumers.
The kernel provides the driver model (for desktops, phone, etc). Means that hardware vendors can now write the drivers for a piece of hardware once (e.g. GPS) and it will work on all platforms.

8 new platform announcements
They are not disclosing all the end user features
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1. Will support dual core (and more)
This release is optimised for dual core. They are doing everything they can to squeeze out every piece of performance.
Adding 2 new screen resolution options (720p & WXDA), for a total of 3
Apps using existing resolutions will 'keep working'. But you can of course directly target the higher resolutions
Adding removable MicroSD support
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The removable storage option should lead to cheap phones at time of purchase. Can provide less internal memory, and users can purchase media cards.

2. Internet Explorer 10
Bringing IE10 to the phone.
Will include smart screen.
Improving Javascript performance
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3. Native code
Can write native games with DirectX. The same as Windows 8 (C++ and DirectX)
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4. Support for NFC
The shared Windows core natively supports NFC. So works with phone & laptops.
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5. The most complete wallet experience on any phone
A physical wallet holds your debit cards, membership cards, coupons, etc.
Integrates 3rd party experiences.
One place to see frequent flyer, coupons, etc.
Supports secure NFC payments.
"Secure element on the sim", rather than embedded in the phone (like google). Apparently mobile operators would block the phone based solution, and prefer to provision it themselves (via sim cards)
Every windows phone will support the wallet (even if you don't have a secure sim), as you can still use bank apps and deals.
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6. Nokia map technology
Will have nokia NAVTEQ map data.
The maps will also work offline! (if you cache)
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7. Windows Phone 8 for Business
Some IT admins weren't too happy with Windows Phone 7 on their networks
Encryption & secure boot.
Can sign and deploy applications without going through the marketplace (like Windows 8).
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8. Changing the start screen
Windows Phone tiles are unique. They show data and relevant information.
Can pin what they want.
Can size each tile individually.
3 tile sizes (double width, standard square, or 1/4 square)
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Joe pulls out a prototype Windows Phone 8 device, and a Windows 8 tablet.
Trying to make a consistent experience across Windows 8 & WP8
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Windows Phone 7.5 apps will still work fine with Windows Phone 8. Especially tiles.
But Windows Phone 8 apps can display different things on different sized tiles (like Windows 8 apps can currently do).
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Accelerated Javascript + canvas rendering, to produce smooth HTML5 apps
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Shows a demo of the same DirectX game running on Windows Phone 8 & Windows 8 (with minor changes).
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Takes out a NFC advertisement that was in the April edition of Wired magazine. Scanning it brought up "do you want to receive this content?"
Also shows a business card with NFC inside it.
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Can now share contacts via NFC as "Tap + send"
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https://twitter.com/ActiveNick/status/215490096235945984

Can use it to initialise a game between 2 devices.
The app then creates a connection over peer to peer Wi-Fi
Took the app developers 2 days to port it over to Windows Phone 8 & use the new NFC capabilities.
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Showing the wallet application
2 lists: an all list, and deals ("Digital coupons")
Shows credit cards, debit cards, frequent rewards cards.
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End to end scenario
Goes to library, uses his library card to check out a book
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Clicks "local scout"
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Many of them have deals listed. Can tap on a location and see deals. Saves to his wallet.
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Time for the technical developer information.
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Same .net engine on desktop & phones
.Net in the "compiled in the cloud", after an app is submitted, they will do some extra pre-jitting in the cloud. So that 1st time app launches are faster.
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Extra gaming middleware being supported
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A developer from the havok physics engine comes on stage
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SQLite engine is a shared platform library, can be used on WP8 & Win8
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Skype calls now look the same as a normal phone call.
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Demo of a full conversation with the phone
"Phone, search"
"Heard you say 'search', what would you like to search for?"
"Apollo"
"Found one result on your phone: the audible story ,mission control. Would you like to play it?"
"yes"

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Corporate IT can decide what apps to push out, which apps to highlight, etc.
Leave requests, alert centre, etc. "My profile" so that you can change your outlook picture, etc.
When clicking "install" it won't hit the public marketplace. Instead it displays & downloads apps from your corporate library.
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Hardware
4 hardware partners.
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And #3, enthusiasts can request to get earlier access to updates.
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By David Burela