Windows 8 Bible

Windows 8 Mobile

Mobile devices have become very popular over the last few years for two main reasons — the Apple iOS and Google Android operating systems. These operating systems have made tablet devices and smart phone devices affordable, reliable, and easy to use. The design of the Windows 8 operating system will help Microsoft position itself alongside Apple and Google for robust tablet and phone devices.

Windows Phone 8

Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8 during the Windows 8 beta phase, which would enable people to use the Windows 8 operating system on compatible smart phones. Pre-release information from Microsoft shows that one of the early changes for Windows Phone 8 will include live tiles on the phone Start screen. Figure 3.1 shows an example of live tiles on a Windows phone on the Microsoft website. Notice how the tiles indicate phone calls, messages, pictures, and other dynamic information for the user.

FIGURE 3.1 Live tiles on Windows Phone 8

At the time of this writing, the Windows Phone 8 tiles can be customized by the user. For example, you can choose between large, medium, and small tiles. The small ones are a quarter the size of the medium ones, so you can fit four small ones in the same space as a medium-sized tile. Tiles also can be rearranged on the screen by dragging them to a different location. You can unpin a tile to remove it from the Start screen.