Nokia Taunts Samsung Ahead Of Windows Phone Launch

Windows Phone 8 Preview: A Visual Tour

Nokia sales and marketing VP Chris Weber didn't mince any words in a tweet aimed at Samsung. "Samsung take note, next generation Lumia coming soon," he wrote.

The taunt was published several hours after Nokia and Microsoft sent invitations to reporters for an event scheduled to take place in New York City on September 5. Nokia and Microsoft appear primed to show off the next wave of Windows Phone hardware and software at the event, which promises to kick the smartphone wars into high gear for the fall season.

Weber's tweet had a nice pun, using the word "note" on the same day that Samsung announced the U.S. launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet. Perhaps more relevant, however, is that the tweet also references the Galaxy Note smartphone, which Samsung also bragged about on Wednesday.

Is Weber implying that the next Lumia smartphone will have a large display? Maybe.

[ Windows Phone may still have to overcome some problems. Read Microsoft Halts New Windows Phone Apps. ]

Beyond Weber's taunt, Nokia has played its cards close to its chest with respect to is next-generation Windows Phones. There haven't been any significant leaks providing a glimpse of what might be revealed on September 5. We do know a few things about Windows Phone 8--but not everything, not by a long shot.

Microsoft detailed some of the changes coming to Windows Phone 8 earlier this year.

Microsoft greatly expanded the types of hardware that can run its smartphone platform. Moving forward, Windows Phone will support multicore processors and removable/expandable storage. It also adds support for more screen resolutions, including 480 x 800, 768 x 1280, and 720 x 1280.

These changes to the platform mean hardware makers, such as Nokia, have much greater freedom when it comes to designing smartphones. Given the preponderance of high-end Android devices that have raging quad-core processors and high-definition screens, it is possible Nokia will go all out and announce a hero device that can better compete. So far, all available Windows Phone devices have single-core processors and screens measuring 800 x 480 pixels.

Other important aspects of Windows Phone 8 include the shared core with Windows 8. This means application developers will be able to more easily target Microsoft's entire range of devices--smartphones, tablets, and computers. Microsoft is also adding support for near-field communications and a new Mobile Wallet Hub. The Hub will let Windows Phone 8 users store their credit and debit card information, membership cards and loyalty programs, and local daily deals all in one app. Further, it will support banking via near-field communications for tap-and-go mobile payments. Microsoft also noted that it is working with Isis, which is a joint initiative being developed by AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless. Windows Phone 8's Mobile Wallet Hub will support Isis next year.

Windows Phone 8 offers native support for the C and C++ development languages, another boon for developers. The desktop version of Internet Explorer 10 is headed to Windows Phone 8. And WP8 offers a complete security platform for enterprises. It includes Secure Boot and Bitlocker encryption.

Together, Nokia and Microsoft have the ability to produce a hit device. While it's important that Nokia knock the hardware out of the park, it is equally important that Microsoft bring more Windows Phone 8 features to the table. What will those features be? We'll find out September 5.

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