Windows 7.8 vs. Windows 8 features leaked in comparison

On the Developer Conference held this June 22 developer, Microsoft announced the exisint devices would not be upgraded to Windows Phone 8 system, but will launch Windows Phone 7.8 as compensation. Countless Windows Phone users were disappointed as after all Windows Phone 7.8 isn’t the Windows Phone 8 system. What makes users more disappointing is that besides the leaked new Start screen, there aren’t any other features revealed by Microsoft to the crowed. And now, WP7Forum.ru received a detailed contrast table of features between Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8, which is showed below:

As expected, while Windows Phone 7.8 will get the new start screen with the new Tile sizes, most of the other major features aren't making the cut. Skype, RCS-e, and DataSmart are all available in WP7.8, but only as separate apps, and not integrated as with WP8. DataSmart is the app which allows users to monitor data usage, and RCS-e allows carriers to hook in data services. Not surprisingly, IE10 will be WP8 only, and WP7.8 users will have to make due with IE9 (our condolences).

Additionally, Voice Command, Bing Audio, and cloud services all seem to be staying the same from WP7.5 to WP7.8, but WP8 users will be getting more powerful versions of each. WP8 will have more voice command options, as expected, and will sync all data to the cloud. The new piece of info is that Bing Audio in WP8 is getting "improved TV recognition", which we hadn't heard about before, but seems to be a way to tag TV shows from the audio, and more than likely will shoot you into the Zune Marketplace to buy said TV show.

Simple comparison between three operating systems: Apple iOS 6 vs. Android vs. Windows Phone

June is really an exciting months for all smartphone fans. Apple kicked off its WWDC this Monday with the unveiling of iOS 6 for its iPhone and iPad, which was claimed to own more than 200 new features. The only defect of 2012 WWDC is that there’s still no introduction of iPhone 5, which is rumored to most possibly adopt iOS 6, A6 processor, larger screen display, higher screen resolution, etc. to produce better experience for users to watch HD movies on iPhone 5, play games, own better experience in surfing the internet, etc. And also, in this June, Microsoft is expected to unveil the next generation of Windows Phone at an event next Wednesday, June 20, while Google is expected to reveal its plans for the next version of Android, codenamed "Jellybean". What an exciting month it would be!

With the release of iOS 6 and its big improvements, we may want to see which one of the three operating systems would be the best for ourselves. Here, PCworld has just made a comparison chart to show the difference of Apple iOS 6, Android and Windows Phone. Let’s have a look:

While some of the iOS 6 features Apple announced on WWDC already exist on Windows Phone and Android, Apple is putting its own twist on these updates. For example, Siri, Apple's voice-activated virtual assistant, is even smarter now with support for sports, movies, and restaurants. Siri can also directly launch apps, but you still can't control these third-party apps with your voice. What’s more, more languages are supported by Siri in iOS 6, like Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese.

In Ios 6, Apple also launched its own Maps application, which includes local business information, Yelp integration, real-time traffic updates, and turn-by-turn navigation. Naturally, Apple has also added Siri integration to maps. Apple has also added a 3D/fly-over mode to its Maps application, which shows you detailed 3D models of buildings and landmarks.

These updates certainly give Microsoft and Android something to chew on. While both competing platforms offer voice-command support, those features are crude in comparison to Siri's artificial intelligence and natural dictation. Microsoft's Bing Maps could definitely use a revamp in the next version of Windows Phone as its turn-by-turn directions feature is quite clunky (you must tap your phone at each turn).