Windows Phone 8 is the newest version of Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system, a promising OS with lots of cool new features that are aiming to catch attention and sales during the holidays.

With Google and Apple gearing up to launch new devices, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft can hold its own throughout the end of the year.

Kids Corner

Windows Phone 8 brings many cool features for everyone, from the gamer right down to the business man will find something to love about this operating system. However, the most innovative feature Microsoft announced was Kids Corner, a feature that is similar to a guest account. Kids Corner allows the user to create a separate section on the phone for others to use, this is great for parents and users who have inquisitive friends.

Rooms

At times one only wants to communicate with a select group of friends or family. Social networking sites like Facebook do not make that desire any easier. This is where Rooms make an entrance, and from what was presented at Microsoft Windows Phone 8 launch event, this feature could work out very well.

The Rooms feature allows users to create a group with only the people they choose. In this selected group, everyone is able to chat, share photos, calendars, and documents, along with other stuff. Some aspect of rooms can also be shared with other smartphones.

Skype

Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, which is quite a lot of money for a service that is similar to its own Windows Live Messenger and experts wondered how Microsoft would integrate Skype into its ecosystem. From what can be seen, Microsoft has done a great job with Skype for Windows Phone 8. This feature is not just an app, it is baked right into the operating system, which means voice calls will behave like any other call. Making video calls is seamless and Skype contacts will be added to the user's address book.

Data Sense

This feature is similar to the Metered Connection feature in Windows Phone 8, and its purpose is to help the user conserve data. By compressing webpages launched in Internet Explorer 10, automatically connecting to free Wi-Fi when the user is in range, along with adjusting data usage near to the limit of the data plan, users can get more out of their data plan.

Live Apps

Live Apps is yet another innovative feature, and the Windows Phone 8 is the only mobile operating system to do it. Live Apps are applications that can be pinned to the Start screen to give relevant information to the user. For example, the Facebook app can deliver real time information right on the Start screen.

NFC and Wallet

To put it plainly, Microsoft manages to do a better job with its Wallet feature than both Google and Apple. Microsoft Wallet does everything that Apple Passbook does, but it takes it one step further by allowing users to add their credit and debit card information. With Android, the user's Wallet information is saved on the device, Microsoft Wallet info is saved on the SIM card. What does this mean? Users will be able to simply transfer info from one handset to the next.

Conclusion

Microsoft has a winner on its hands here, what's left is for consumers to feel the same way and go out with the intention of purchasing a device.