The good news regarding Windows 8 mobiles continues to seep from the press. It’s hard to imagine a worthy opponent for Apples iPhone, yet techno-analysts around the world are already claiming that Windows 8 phones will be the real deal with market value.  With an array of features that are unique to Microsoft, as well as diverse options that give developers huge opportunity, the future for Windows phones looks to be very promising.

Within the next fiscal year, three companies are opting to go with Windows 8 software and will be releasing a subsequent Windows 8 phone.  As they say in the industry, ‘Let the new stuff come.”.

The ‘Next’ Generation: 3 Windows 8 Phones to for Windows 8 Developers

Nokia’s Lumia 920

One day after Apple announced the iPhone 5 (back on September 12th, 2012), Nokia announced its own flagship phone, the Lumia 920.  The announcement shown a full display of the phones Windows 8 functions, featuring the fluid display screen and concise imagery that Windows is known for.  Additionally, the phone is set to include Nokia-only features, including Nokia Music, Nokia Maps and Nokia City Lens.

Specifications: 

1 GB RAM
7GB Skydrive Memory
2,000 mAh Battery
2.5 faster resolution

Dubbed by Samantha Murphy from Mashable as ‘the best Windows phone to hit the market’, Lumia 920 looks to be the proverbial face-of-the-franchise that Microsoft is looking for.

Samsungs Ativ S

Nokia wasn’t the first to announce a Windows 8 phone.  That audacious announcement was left to Samsung, who in late August 2012 released information about their Windows flagship phone, Ativ S.  Spelled ‘Vita’ backwards (the Korean electronics giant know how to pander to their bosses), the Windows 8 phone has a slim design and features a 4.8-inch HD display and a 1.5GHs dual-core processor.  Also, the phone will include both a rear and front-facing camera, each one featuring a LED flash.

Specifications:

1 GB RAM
16GB and 32GB storage options.
Samsung Marketplace
1.9 Megapixel camera

Samsung is looking to fully utilize the software of Windows 8.  Included with the phone will be a microSD card and support for NFC.  As Jessica Dolcourt at CNET News reported “…there’s a microSD card and support for NFC (think file-sharing and, soon, payment).”  This gives a strong indication of what’s to come, namely a whole swath of new a creative features which utilize the power of Windows.  Not only that, but it suggests that Windows 8 developers will have full reign and full control when designing applications for both the computer and mobile software.

HTC 8X and 8S

When there’s one announcement for a new phones, there’s a thousand.  Like Nokia and Samsung, HTC has recently revealed its own version of a Windows 8 phone.  Actually not just one phone, but two.  Tom Harlin, Director of Public Relations at HTC, has stated that the HTC 8X and HTC 8S will the first ‘signature’ Windows 8 phone.  That is, “Signature Windows Phones are born out of a close collaboration with Microsoft and HTC…The design of the devices are inspired by live tiles and Windows 8 software”.  Intriguing stuff.   A first look at the phone gives off a very aesthetically pleasing vibe, one that is very in-tune with the feel of Microsoft and its Windows 8 software.

Specifications:

4.3 inch touch screen
8-mega pixel camera
1.2-mega pixel front-facing camera

Other specifications have yet to be announced.  However, as Tom Harlin has conveyed repeatedly, “What is going to set it apart is the iconic design, the amazing sound experience, and the world class camera and the very sleek form factor.”   This is good news for Windows 8 developers; it gives them a platform of Windows-design, something that will make transitioning between computer application and mobile application that much easier.

Good News for Developers

September and October is often called the ‘Unofficial Smart Phone Announcement Period’.  So far three Windows 8 phones have been announced by three separate companies.  Moving forward, this number will likely increase dramatically.  What does it mean for Windows 8 developers?   For developing applications, diversity is imperative.  In other words, having options in platforms, in design features and in marketing is paramount for developers.  It gives them the opportunities to try out new options and ultimately find a niche for their application that they may not have found before.  As the intrigue and buzz surrounding Windows 8 continues, the potential for Windows 8 developer continues to brew.  The motto here is: “Stay tuned and be ready.”

The more Windows 8 phones released, the greater the opportunity application developers have to achieve their dreams.  However, there will still exist a learning curve that these developers will have to face before they can realize the true potential of the software they’re handling.  Readify, leaders in application development consulting, are able to help ease this learning curve.  Indeed, the quicker a developer can understand how to tap into the power of Windows 8 phone, the better.

For more information about Readify's Windows 8 Development services, call +61 3 9600 2339 or 1300 666 274 (within Australia) or visit the Web site at http://www.readify.net/

Via: WhaTech Content Marketing