Yesterday at the Microsoft annual Windows Phone Summit, the company announced and demoed Windows Phone 8, the newest version of Microsoft mobile operating system for smartphones that is expected to be in the palms of Windows Phone fans this fall. The new OS bring to the table a host of new features that will enable it to compete better with the likes of Android and iOS, something the previous versions were struggling to do due to lack of modern features and hardware.

Windows Phone 8 now makes it easier for developers to code for the platform; this is due in part to Microsoft shifting the platform to the NT Kernel. There is also support for multi-core processors, NFC, deeper Skype integration, a new start screen with the more customization abilities of the live tiles, along with Nokia Maps replacing Bing Maps. Those who were expecting to have Windows Phone 8 running on their first and second generation devices will be disappointed and probably find themselves in a state of depression, when they find out Microsoft has chosen not to share the Windows Phone 8 update with older devices. However, there will be a Windows Phone 7.8 update that will bring the new start screen to old devices, and that's about it.

Windows NT Kernel Moves To Windows Phone 8

This has come as no surprise since Microsoft has hinted it in the past few months. The core part of the Windows operating system making its way to the mobile version is a huge step for the platform, and should make developer's lives much easier when it comes to porting applications back and forth. The NT Kernel allows Windows Phone 8 to have support for multi-core processors, SD cards, device encryption and many more features that are sure to get everyone excited.

New Hardware Support Up to 64 Cores Processors

Microsoft really came out gunning with Windows Phone 8 when the company announced the new hardware changes. The platform is now able to run on devices with dual core, quad core, octo core, or up to 64 core processors, well, in theory when it comes down to the part about 64 cores. This is a result to the move to the Windows 8 NT Kernel, but even though we might never see Windows Phone devices running on a 64 core processor in our lifetime, we are glad the platform has stepped out of the old ways and into modern day thinking.

Excitement through the roof? Good, because we've got more. Microsoft now enables Windows Phone 8 to support SD cards. This is a feature long asked for by Windows Phone fanboys who were not quite happy with the 16GB internal memory limit that plagued Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 devices. SD card support will allow users to transfer music, videos, photos, and install applications, much like what is already happening on Android.

One of the more important technology breakthroughs is NFC (Near Field Communication,) and it will be supported in Windows Phone 8. The Wallet Hub in Windows 8 is Microsoft's answer to Google Wallet and Apple Passbook, and it is designed to support NFC from the get go. With this, Windows Phone 8 users will have the ability to store credit card information securely, make payments, and surface deals with Groupon. Like the Android Beam, Microsoft's Joe Belfoire demoed what the company calls Tap + Send. This uses NFC to share files and information with other NFC enabled devices with ease. Users will be happy to know it would also find its way to Windows 8.

Skype Integration

Skype is being integrated in Windows Phone 8, but not in the way you might think. Skype in Windows Phone 8 will largely just be an application, However, when you download the app, it will take advantage of the VoIP integration in Windows 8, along with any other VoIP based application. VoIP apps will be able to integrate into the phone dialer and People Hub, a feature not found on competing platforms.

Internet Explorer 10

Internet Explorer 10 on Windows Phone 8 is very similar to the one on the desktop, because it borrows code from the variant on Windows 8, which allows it to do some neat things. The SmartScreen Anti-Phishing feature found in IE10 for the desktop has made its way to the mobile version, and it works just as you might have expected. Apart from faster HTML5 and Javascript rendering, nothing much else has been shown. However, we hope Microsoft implements the syncing of favorites.

The New Windows Phone 8 User Interface

Microsoft made some improvements to the user interface, and we have to admit, it is pretty solid. Previous versions of the platform had little customization options to the start screen UI, and that huge black space on the right side of the display that took up well needed space was an annoying distraction, a distraction that is no more. With Windows Phone 8, users will have the option to make tiles larger or smaller to fit their needs, and with the extra screen real estate, more tiles on screen going across will be possible. Microsoft didn't venture into the apps list so we could see if any changes were made there, though we doubt none is needed.

Full Background Multitasking.

Finally Microsoft chose to stop walking in the footsteps of Apple, Windows Phone 8 brings to the table the ability to do full background multitasking, so expect devices with 1GB RAM and more. Having full background multitasking will give developers more freedom, which in turn would make users happy since better applications will make their way to the Marketplace.

Nokia Maps Replaced Bing Maps

By now everyone should know of Microsoft's partnership with Nokia on Windows Phone, but things have gone deeper than that. Nokia Maps will fuel the first party maps offering on Windows Phone 8. This means all Windows Phone 8 devices from whichever manufacturer will have Nokia Maps inside, and we are exceedingly excited about this. Nokia Maps will also bring offline mapping technology to the table. However, no word if Nokia Drive will still be exclusive to Nokia Lumia devices.

Business and the Enterprise

With the addition of the Windows NT Kernel, Microsoft has allowed Windows Phone 8 to have support for some key business and enterprise features that should get IT Pros up in arms. Things like Windows BitLocker drive encryption, and device management features could possibly dent BlackBerry's iron fist hold on the enterprise market. There will also be a private marketplace for business and enterprise customers, along with some key features enterprise customers have been asking for.

Current Windows Phone Device Owners Left in the Cold to Squander

As you might know, Windows Phone 8 will not make it to first and second generation devices, a massive punch in the face to folks who went out and bought a Lumia couple days ago before the announcement. Nevertheless, there will be an update coming in the form of Windows Phone 7.8 which promises to bring along the new start screen with all the customization options. No word what, if anything else from Windows Phone 8, will make the rounds. It is likely the 7.8 update will also replace Bing Maps with Nokia Maps; it would be very odd if this does not happen.

Overall, Microsoft has shown its commitment to Windows Phone by adding new software and hardware features, even if it means alienating previous and current device owners. What some will have to understand is, this would had have to happen one way or the other if Microsoft wanted to blend Windows desktop with Windows Phone, much like what Apple has done with iOS and OSX.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft refused to reveal some key Windows Phone 8 features, probably because it doesn't want to lose its thunder when Google reveals all at its Google I/O conference. Whatever the case may be, Microsoft has done a great job in eliminating many of the problems faced by users, and that's a good thing for Windows Phone 8 going forward.