Nokia Corp. is expected to reveal its first Windows Phone 8-based smartphones in early September at its Nokia World event. The move will enable the company to demonstrate its next-gen cell phones ahead of Apple's introduction of new iPhone rumoured to happen in mid-September, which is important as the Windows Phone 8 operating system is in many ways comparable to the iOS 6.

"We understand from people familiar with the situation that Nokia will be introducing [its Windows Phone 8 phone] before the iPhone [5] comes out," said Tom Giles, a correspondent for Bloomberg TV news in a report.

Back in July, chief exec of Nokia, Stephen Elop, implied that the WP 8 smartphones would become available in October, but did not elaborate. Since Nokia has a number of privileges in the Windows Phone ecosystem, it may have an opportunity to show off its WP8-based phone earlier than the others. Moreover, Nokia  last month also hinted at "something amazing" that was going to happen on September 7, 2012. The "amazing" campaign was "enriched" with a QR code that led to Nokia Graffiti Me web-site. Nokia World will take place in Helsinki, Finland, on September 5-6, 2012.

It is widely believed that Microsoft Windows Phone 8 platform will be comparable with Apple iOS 6 when it comes to feature-set. Although the WP8 will still not be able to march the iOS with the number of apps, it will have capabilities that will bridge smartphones with personal computers, game consoles and media tablets, something which Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 failed to do. Therefore, it is important to show off Windows Phone 8-powered handsets ahead of Apple iOS 6 and Apple iPhone 5 so that to impress the general public.

Windows Phone 8 and the operating system for PCs will share common networking, security, media and Internet Explorer 10 web browser technology, and a common file system, which will translate in a PC user experience on a mobile phone. In addition, Windows Phone 8 will support multi-core microprocessors to boost performance and improve multitasking; higher resolution screens - 1280x768 and 1280x720; removable MicroSD cards; UEFI boot protocol to enhance security; support for encryption of the whole device; remote management; NFC wireless sharing for photos, Office docs, and contacts; Wallet application to keep debit and credit cards, coupons, boarding passes and other important info; improved maps and other useful features.

Windows Phone 8 has full C and C++ support, making it easier to write apps for multiple platforms more quickly. It also means Windows Phone 8 supports popular gaming middleware such as Havok Vision Engine, Autodesk Scaleform, Audiokinetic Wwise, and Firelight FMOD, as well as native DirectX-based game development. Naturally, since WP7-generation phones do not support C/C++, they will not run apps designed specifically for WP8 and better devices, which will naturally upset the current users.

Windows Phone 8 will support a total of 50 languages; Windows Phone Marketplace, the store for apps and games, will support app downloads in over 180 countries.

The first wave of devices for Windows Phone 8 will arrive later this year and will come from Nokia, Huawei, Samsung and HTC, all built on next-generation Snapdragon S4 chips from Qualcomm.

Tags: Nokia, Windows Phone, Microsoft, Apple, iOS, iPhone