Windows Phone 8 to have back app compatibility

Microsoft's Larry Lieberman used a posting Friday to reassure developers that the next version of Windows Phone would support Windows Phone apps. The new OS, codenamed Apollo and informally called Windows Phone 8, would run "today's Windows Phone applications." Backwards compatibility was a sign of a "commitment to [Microsoft's] developers," Lieberman said.

"Regardless of what we release in terms of new developer features and functionality, we have made a large investment in protecting your existing investments," he added.

Still absent was the larger question as to whether or not Windows Phone 8 would run on earlier hardware. Rumors have raised the possibility that it might lose hardware compatibility and push customers into buying new devices to get the new platform. App compatibility might contradict this, however, and Microsoft is well-known for clinging tightly to legacy support until a switch is absolutely necessary.

Windows Phone 8 is unofficially expected for the late summer or early fall and is likely meant to dovetail with the release of its desktop counterpart, Windows 8.

By Electronista Staff

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software, Microsoft, developer, mobile phones, Apollo, Windows Phone, Windows 8