Next-gen version of the OS could feature NFC, pre-loaded Skype and support for porting Android/iOS apps.
Apollo is a future update for the Windows Phone OS and though it isn't expected to arrive until late 2012, PocketNow has revealed some of the features thanks to leaked info from senior VP and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore.
The news, which was only intended for the eyes of Nokia execs, says Apollo will be developed with a focus towards Windows 8 to allow synchronisation between the platforms.
According to the report, Microsoft's $8.5 billion Skype takeover will finally be bring the VoIP client to the OS, ensuring "Skype calls behave almost identically to regular, non-VoIP telephony."
This will be welcome news to WinPho users, who have not had access to Skype even though the Microsoft/Skype deal closed in Q3.
Apollo is also expected to receive native code support to enable iOS and Android developers to adapt existing apps for Windows Phone. This follows RIM's move to allow Android app conversions to BlackBerry 10 and PlayBook OS 2.0.
Perhaps most interestingly of all is the adoption of NFC to provide Apollo devices with a "wallet experience" via the SIM card or direct phone hardware.
The tech is expected to "work across multiple platforms, allowing desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones to all share content."
However, while this could be the push the firm needs to drive sales of WinPho-powered Nokias, consumers will have to wait as Microsoft first rolls out the filler update Tango.
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As I mentioned in my blog, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". I predict that Apple will stay in its niche, a larger niche that it was in 1983 but a niche, locked into their proprietary hardware. RIM will lose it totally and head the way of Nokia Communicator, great in its day but not the platform required. Android will become the Linux like solution for the techy geek who wants to root his phone and tweak the OS and Windows will take the volume business from the Symbian past.
The reason, the App. Apple think its music, its not, RIM think its email clients, its not, Google think its search, its not. Microsoft know what it is, they just need time to enable it, and they have the funds, the people and the patience to make it. Sure they may mistakes, Win3.0, Win95, WinME, WinVista but they also get it right Win3.1, Win98, WinXP, Win7 and it does not damage them at all, because they know its all about the App.
In 1983 its was Lotus 123, available on a number of platforms from many vendors that MSDOS rode along with. The OS we had no concern over, in fact we hated it (640k is enough for anyone), but we endured to enjoy the App.
This time, well this time its Office 365. To be able to edit, store, access Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Publisher and Lync from any formfactor anywhere ... well, the first part was the original RIM offer and that was a wow! ... this time make it all, add in Bing, include Xbox and Kinect ... a killer App indeed.
Who can stop them, Google, but they would have to get professional to do it. They would need to qualify the Apps in Market, boost Google Docs, etc to corporate, federal, commercial standard ... Lotus 123 was 5 years after Visicalc, that would put the point of arrival the end of 2012, early 2013 and history repeats itself.
http://www.onjabike.com/
Dave Everitt Feb 3rd 2012 at 11:55PM
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