The smartphone of the future.

Some people say it's a phone, but some people think not.

A major update to the mobile operating system Windows Phone 8 released in the first half of 2014. The update brings Windows Phone closer to the standards set by Android and iOS with features such as Cortana (a personal assistant), Swype keyboard and notifications/actions centre raising the standard of the Windows Phone experience

A mobile operating system for smartphones based on Microsoft's latest PC operating system, Windows 8. Although currently the third most popular mobile operating system behind Android and iOS, Windows Phone 8 (or WP8 for short) is one of the fastest growing operating systems in popularity.

It is fairly different to Android and iOS in layout with "Live Tiles", an integration of app icons and widgets that display information. Most apps either have a black background with white icons/text or vice versa.

Strengths of WP8 include being simple to use, a fairly customisable home (start) screen, integration of Microsoft software (Microsoft office e.t.c...) and Kid's Corner (a feature which allows others {especially kids} to use a WP8 device without gaining access to sensitive apps).

Weaknesses include having weak content stores compared to Android and iOS, the hardware designed to run WP8 lacking in performance in the high-end market and also not being as refined as Android or iOS.

Nokia is the main brand that creates devices to run WP8 (known as Lumias) but Samsung and HTC also make devices. Prices range from around $200 to $900 AUD.

Someone who is owns a windows phone and spends hours looking at applications and downloads multiple stuff for no reason.

Also is someone who constantly changes the desktop layout by removing all the tiles and reputing everything together.

The undiscovered iPhone killer. The UI is simpler than the iPhone. Offers XBOX Live service, to be updated to become more comprehensive in the Fall "Mango" update. Offers Zune, which can enable unlimited downloading and streaming on the go via a $150 annual Zune Pass option. Zune Pass also enables the user to own 120 songs that are not restricted to being played by Zune capable devices (i.e. Macs, other MP3 players). Offers Microsoft Office and multiple synchronization services, via Sharepoint or Skydrive. Pioneered many ease of use functions that will now be incorporated into Apple's new iPhone 5. Additionally has many phone models than the iPhone, but are all built on the same phone hardware base (thereby providing different form factors for the exact same phone).

Will be adding user friendly and practical features in the Fall "Mango" update, most notably being Local Scout (delivers an array of local features and places to the user), Image/Music search (On-demand search of visual/audio feedback via Bing/Zune/3rd Party Applications), Email integration (Can congregate email accounts together, supports email "conversation" format), and will also be adding more third party support for "Live Tile" homescreen interfaces.

Has a notable lack of advertising, and has never flaunted its own ego like a jackass. Android or iOS have clearly done so on national television.

The best smartphone ever!!!Made by Microsoft. Its available to carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, soon to be Verizon, and others more with excellent models like the samsung focus. Has xbox live, zune,bing and office. Gets things quicker than an iphone and the fastest growing app store

A next-gen mobile OS from the techno giant Microsoft. It has been called "revolutionary, new-age, perfect consumer device", and has been said to be giving Apple a run for their money.

A phone that is not able to copy and paste, multitask, mount SDCards or offer any popular applications. Microsoft's failed attempt to make a phone.