It's official: Microsoft is due to present its Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system on 29 October in San Francisco, the very heart of Google and Apple territory. Symbolic, it could well be.
While mobile-makers including Samsung, HTC and Nokia have already presented their upcoming Windows Phone 8 mobiles—mostly due to launch in November—Microsoft has reserved the right to present in-depth details of what's new in its forthcoming mobile OS (customisable interface, IE 10, NFC, 720p screen support, etc.). But the date of its official unveiling has now been set, as Microsoft is preparing to out its latest mobile OS on 29 October, three days after the launch of Windows 8. But will Microsoft be able to impose Windows as a viable alternative to the two big fish?
Nokia's new Lumia handset range has been rather well-received, and Microsoft can count on the support of several partners (including Samsung and HTC) to get its revamped OS out there in the public eye and into users' pockets before RIM arrives on the scene with BB10.
According to our sources, HTC is likely to be the first manufacturer to actually get a Windows Phone 8 handset on shelves—perhaps with the much-rumoured yet still mysterious HTC Zenith.
In any case, with the Redmond-based tech giant hit hard by falling PC sales, Microsoft has no room for failure with Windows Phone 8. As well as keeping smartphone manufacturers on board, the buying public need to be convinced to switch to Windows in a landscape dominated by Apple (iOS) and Google (Android)—the two heavyweights of the mobile OS world.
But with its somewhat unique ecosystem, Microsoft should be able to score points with users by offering a single, cross-device interface (tablets, smartphones, PC). However, it remains to be seen how well this interface lends itself to use in both PCs and mobile phones.
While mobile-makers including Samsung, HTC and Nokia have already presented their upcoming Windows Phone 8 mobiles—mostly due to launch in November—Microsoft has reserved the right to present in-depth details of what's new in its forthcoming mobile OS (customisable interface, IE 10, NFC, 720p screen support, etc.). But the date of its official unveiling has now been set, as Microsoft is preparing to out its latest mobile OS on 29 October, three days after the launch of Windows 8. But will Microsoft be able to impose Windows as a viable alternative to the two big fish?
HTC 8S with the new WP8 homescreen
Nokia's new Lumia handset range has been rather well-received, and Microsoft can count on the support of several partners (including Samsung and HTC) to get its revamped OS out there in the public eye and into users' pockets before RIM arrives on the scene with BB10.
According to our sources, HTC is likely to be the first manufacturer to actually get a Windows Phone 8 handset on shelves—perhaps with the much-rumoured yet still mysterious HTC Zenith.
In any case, with the Redmond-based tech giant hit hard by falling PC sales, Microsoft has no room for failure with Windows Phone 8. As well as keeping smartphone manufacturers on board, the buying public need to be convinced to switch to Windows in a landscape dominated by Apple (iOS) and Google (Android)—the two heavyweights of the mobile OS world.
But with its somewhat unique ecosystem, Microsoft should be able to score points with users by offering a single, cross-device interface (tablets, smartphones, PC). However, it remains to be seen how well this interface lends itself to use in both PCs and mobile phones.
DigitalVersus on...