Microsoft starts working on Windows Phone 8 OS

Microsoft has started working on the next generation Windows Phone 8 (WP8) operating system. The company has posted several job postings seeking Windows Phone 8 OS developers on its website revealing that it might release WP8 OS earlier than expected.

This job offer enlists the requirement for experienced software engineers. According to the job offering, the successful candidates would form Microsoft's Consumer Experience team for WP8 OS. They would also be responsible for the presentation and functioning of this new platform.

Reportedly, few new features of the WP8 OS are already known. Some of them are a new User Interface (UI), an improved Distributed File Replication System (DFRS) and an ability to perform on low-powered ARM processors.

According to speculations, Microsoft is set to build a new UI based on highly successful Metro UI. An improved DFRS, on the other hand would allow the user to synchronize files and folders easily over multiple servers. It could even facilitate better cloud computing from your phone.

It might also feature "live tiles" that will provide users with constant updates on the status of the handset. With this feature, you can navigate between screens by moving your finger from left to right. It can be used for both vertical and horizontal menus.

In appearance, the WP8 OS would be similar to the WP7 OS. But it would surely be different in few ways. Unlike, the WP7, it might not run apps written in Silverlight - the WP7 development platform. Instead developers would need to write apps using web technologies like HTML 5 and Javascript. In a nutshell, this means that all the WP7 apps would have to be rewritten for WP8.

Microsoft's Windows Phone platform competes with Apple's iOS and Google's _{Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Its WP7 - Mango OS enabled N9} is being eagerly awaited by Windows Phone users.

Microsoft will most probably debut the WP8 in collaboration with Nokia. The expected release is  around the third quarter of 2012.