Windows Phone 8 has officially gone gold (RTM)

Belfiore

Managing director of the Windows Telephone Program, Joe Belfiore in NYC

WP CentralRum: 10

This evening we can confirm via two known sources that Windows Phone 8 has RTM'd. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, RTM stands for Release to Manufacturing (aka "going gold") and is one of the final steps in getting the software to market.

We're likewise told that this RTM engagement was planned and that Windows Phone viii is "on time".

Windows Phone eight codenamed 'Apollo' has been in development since 2022. The previous major branch of Windows Telephone codenamed 'Mango' RTM'd in July 26^th, merely over 1 year ago. Bringing along a new core compages built upon the NT kernel, the Windows Phone eight OS will allow Microsoft to prefer cut border engineering and heavily compete with Android and iOS in terms of features and hardware flexibility.

WP8

Windows Telephone viii devices: (50 to R) Lumia 920, Lumia 820, HTC 8X, ATIV S

While the full feature list of Windows Telephone 8 has not yet been revealed, users were treated to a sneak preview back in June at the Windows Phone Height. Some of the features introduced include multi-core CPU support, near-field communications (NFC), 720p and higher resolutions and native C++ evolution.

Signing off

With Windows Telephone viii now aureate, all eyes are now on the software development kit (SDK) for developers. Although some select users were able to download information technology this week, the SDK has yet to be finalized. We've heard that newer builds are at present going out to those with access and with the Os now finalized, the SDK tin presumably get polished off for general release.

Signing off

Team members sign off

The next step with the Bone being delivered to OEMs volition exist for them to iron out any kinks and optimize drivers for their hardware. There however may be some back-and-along between the OEMs and Microsoft as bugs and other small issues are discovered merely for all intents and purposes, the Os is now locked and feature complete.

What all this means for finalized hardware for carriers is exactly what we've been expecting: a Nov release for many carriers, following the "big unveiling" of Windows Telephone 8 perchance at BUILD '12 in Redmond. Whether those dates are Nov 2^nd or later remain to be seen, as carriers still need to approve the devices for general sale.

Updated: 'Signing off' images from 'coolrick'; via LiveSino.net; Thanks, Picturepan2.

Windows Phone Fundamental of course will be alive at BUILD 12 with full coverage of all events.