Windows Phone software

Windows Phone 8: Everything you need to know (FAQ)

Here's CNET's Windows Phone 8 OS review. This article was originally posted on June 20 and was updated November 6.

The first smartphones bearing Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 operating system are hitting store shelves this holiday season. CNET has even reviewed the Nokia Lumia 920 and the HTC Windows Phone 8X, the first two premium handsets with Microsoft's next-generation smartphone OS. Yet those of you on the fence still have questions. Here's what you're asking.

What are the hardware changes? Near-field communication (NFC), support for multicore processors (like dual-core and quad-core), new screen resolutions (like 1,280x720-pixel HD), and optional expandable memory slots are the biggest news in terms of hardware changes.

What's with the new start screen? Microsoft's redesigned start screen (pictured above) spans the width of the screen. You'll be able to resize each individual live tile on the start screen to one of three sizes. There's also support for new color themes, which differ slightly by carrier and manufacturer.… Read more

Carrier support a must for Windows Phone 8 success

Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8 devices will hit stores this fall. And support from carriers like Verizon Wireless will be crucial if the company stands a chance of competing with smartphone giants, Apple and Google.

Microsoft today took the wraps off Windows Phone 8, the next iteration of its mobile software for smartphones. Device makers Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC have all committed to building Windows Phone 8 devices, Microsoft said. So far all four major wireless carriers, including Verizon Wireless, are onboard as well, which is good news for Microsoft. The big question now is how much support … Read more

Qualcomm confirms Snapdragon S4 processor for Windows Phone

Support for multi-core processors was one of the biggest pieces of news to come from Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 unveiling today. Qualcomm has just confirmed that it will supply its dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset to power future Windows phones.

The Snapdragon S4 is Qualcomm's fastest chip to date and goes up to clock speeds of 1.7GHz per core. It currently powers four of the U.S. market's fastest phones, the HTC One X, HTC Evo 4G LTE, HTC One S, and the Samsung Galaxy S3. Both phones earned CNET Editors' Choice awards, in part due … Read more

No Windows Phone 8 upgrade for current devices

Well, it's official.

Although Microsoft's newly unveiled Windows Phone 8 boasts exciting features like more customization options and integration with voice-over IP, one unpleasant suspicion we had about the new mobile OS has been confirmed: current Windows Phone devices won't be able to upgrade to WP8.

We've mentioned that possibility before here, here, and here. But we still can't help feel a bit disappointed and frustrated by Microsoft's confirmation today. … Read more

Windows Phone 8 OS opens up to multicore processors, NFC

Microsoft has just made its next-generation mobile operating system official, and Windows Phone 8 promises to get people talking with its hardware implications, mobile payments, and tighter relations to the Windows platform.… Read more

Windows Phone 8 shipping on new phones this fall

Windows Phone 8, the successor to its Windows Phone 7.5 Mango mobile operating system, will ship on handsets starting this fall, according to Microsoft.

Windows Phone 8, code-named Apollo, will feature support for multicore processors, NFC with a mobile payments wallet, and support for three screen resolutions and microSD card slots.

Furthermore, the next Windows Phone OS will share a common kernel with the PC version of Windows 8, which will -- again, according to Microsoft -- allow for easier cross-platform software development between all versions of Windows 8.… Read more

Join us Wednesday for Microsoft's Windows Phone summit (live blog)

Editor's note: This live blog has ended. To replay it, just click on this this link. Or read our related stories on what's been announced: "Windows Phone 8 shipping on new phones this fall;" "Windows Phone 8 OS opens up to multicore processors, NFC;" and " No Windows Phone 8 upgrade for current devices."

If you thought that Microsoft was done making news this week you'd be soundly mistaken.

Yes, it debuted its Surface tablet family at an event in Los Angeles only on Monday, but now on Wednesday, June 20, the … Read more

Microsoft expected to announce Windows Phone 8 tomorrow

Microsoft just pulled the wraps off its first tablet effort last night, and tomorrow, a different arm of the software giant could be preparing to do the same with Windows Phone.

A month ago, the above invitation arrived for a developers summit here in San Francisco.

This time, Redmond has been able to keep a fairly tight lid on its plans, but there are some rumors about what we can expect from tomorrow's all-day program.

Windows Phone 8, code-named Apollo, should headline the agenda. Microsoft has all but announced that future iterations of Windows Phone OS will support multicore … Read more

Who is the Microsoft Surface for, exactly?

Microsoft threw a surprise hail mary in Los Angeles today with the unveiling of its new line of Windows 8 and Windows RT tablet-laptop hybrids dubbed simply "Surface." But some big questions remain, like -- when? how much? and who is this for?

Surface is a bit larger than an iPad with an HD display, full-size USB port, Microsoft's next-generation operating system, a built-in kickstand, and a detachable cover that doubles as a flat keyboard and touch pad. That's what we know from today's unveiling, but there's much more that we don't know.

The biggest question mark -- the price.… Read more

AVG spreads its mobile shield

AVG Family Safety has extended kid-proofing mobile protection to the handful of Windows Phones on the market today, as well as revamping its app for iPhones and iPads.

AVG, which has more than 110 million active users, is offering the app in free and paid flavors. When installing, simply elect not to supply Family Safety account info and the app will be available in its restricted but free mode.

For $19.99 per year, you get a Web browser alternative, automatic link scanning courtesy AVG's LinkScanner tech, and access to a reasonable set of parental control tools.

The free … Read more