Windows Phone 8 will also support MicroSD cards. Internet Explorer 10 on the new OS version will support Microsoft's desktop anti-phishing technology, expanded HTML 5 support, and faster JavaScript execution.

For the first time, Windows Phone developers will be able to write native apps, in C and C++ and use Microsoft's DirectX multimedia APIs. These capabilities will likely be first exploited by gamers writing sophisticated mobile games.

The new phones will also support built-in support for Near-field communications radio chips. But more importantly, Windows Phone 8 will add a new "hub" or group of applications, called "Wallet hub." Microsoft is offering an API that lets third-party developers integrate digital coupons, credit cards, debit cards, membership cards on the handset, all able to use an NFC-based connection to execute transactions. And in 2013, Microsoft and its carrier partners will be introducing support for a secure SIM card to encrypt and protect Wallet applications and transactions.

Microsoft will incorporate Nokia's Nokia Maps technology to support detailed local map data, offline map use, and turn by turn directions.

The SDK for Windows Phone 8 will be available "later this summer" according to Microsoft.