Handsets gracing the latest version (7.5) of Microsoft’s Windows Phone mobile operating system (OS) are only entering the local market now, such as Nokia’s Lumia 800 smartphone expected to be available locally from Vodacom as of 7 February 2012.

Now it would appear that features making their way into the next version of the Redmond-based software giant’s mobile OS, Windows Phone 8 - codenamed Apollo, have come to light prematurely, due to Pocketnow.com getting its hands on a leaked video. This video is hosted by Microsoft’s senior vice president and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore and was intended for Microsoft’s hardware partners.

According to the report some of the new features of Windows Phone 8 will be:

So far Windows Phone OS hasn't really managed to entice smartphone users away from the iPhone and various Android-powered devices, but with features such as these we think it is destined to assert itself as a proper rival.    

 

In other news from the smartphone scene, market research firm International Data Corporation has recently announced its analysis of the mobile market for the period of Q4 2011, stating that the global mobile phone market grew by 6.1% with Nokia, Samsung and Apple making up the top three regarding sales.