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Microsoft makes hardware requirements for WP devices less stringent

Microsoft makes hardware requirements for WP devices less stringent

Posted: 07 Nov 2011, 06:24, by Victor H.

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Microsoft makes hardware requirements for WP devices less stringent

Microsoft seems to have loosened its grip on the hardware requirements for Windows Phone 7 devices and no longer forces phone makers to include a camera in their handsets. In addition, some of the sensors are also no longer obligatory. The gyro which aids the motion sensing abilities of devices is also not a must-have, and some of the latest handsets like the HTC Radar don't have it.

The novelty affects four items which are now considered optional hardware: the rear and front facing cameras, the compass and the gyro.

We've already seen, that some handsets like the upcoming ZTE Tania have also hinted that Microsoft has stepped down from requiring a minimum of 8GB of on-board memory, but that's still listed as a requirement. Take a look at the list below to freshen up your mind about what is the minimum hardware to make that Windows Phone platform tick:

Start, Search and Back button,
Big WVGA display that would render most pages in full-page width,
Capacitive 4-point multi-touch display,
Connectivity via cellular data and Wi-Fi,
256MB RAM or more, 8 gigs internal memory,
A-GPS,
Accelerometer.

Could the new requirements bring forth a new wave of Windows Phones, this time with a much more affordable price tag? Here's to hoping.

source: WPCentral

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1. chocolatebear76 posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:30 1

RAM not good enough,MS still trailing

3. Muhannad posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:47 1

256MB of RAM is probably going to be used in budget devices when the 'Tango' updated is released.

11. drahmad posted on 08 Nov 2011, 00:49 0

what does Muhannad mean?

10. clevername posted on 07 Nov 2011, 10:40 0

That's just minimum ram most windows phones have 512.

2. protozeloz posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:34 0

with this manufactures can make some new cool smartphones a really thigh up system for MS work model slows a bit how they roll new stuff, this will make them grow faster

4. remixfa posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:18 0

that would make sense with the "tango" upgrade thats about to roll out which MS said was for budget devices.

5. DontHateOnS60 posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:24 1

Camera key should be a requirement as well.

6. snowgator posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:59 0

Agree. That is really, really popular feature among camera enthusiasts.

7. simplyj posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:00 0

A camera key is nice sometimes, but I'd rather have a phone with only a power/lock button and that's it. volume can be managed from inside the phone itself as also does taking pictures.

8. snowgator posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:03 1

What I kinda do not understand is that there have always been minimum standards, but very few maximum standards. There is a great potential with the next wave of devices, especially with WP8 on the horizon, to make higher end devices that really compete with Android. Why are manufacturers just settling for the lowest everything that Microsoft wants?

9. Jyakotu posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:54 0

It's a great way for Microsoft to push out budget devices for those who want a smartphone, but are first time adopters.

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Samsung Galaxy S4
- Announced: 14 Mar 2013
- OS: Android 4.2.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Apple iPhone 5
- Announced: 12 Sep 2012
- OS: iOS
- Hardware: Dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift, 1016 MB RAM
- Display: 4.0 inches, 640 x 1136 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1700/2100 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS EV-DO Rev.A EV-DO Rev.B
Samsung GALAXY Note II
- Announced: 29 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.1.1
- Hardware: Quad core, 1600 MHz, ARM Cortex-A9, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.5 inches, 720 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 35 hours of Talk Time, 980 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
HTC One
- Announced: 19 Feb 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 4 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Sony Xperia Z
- Announced: 07 Jan 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13.1 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 11 hours of Talk Time, 550 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Google Nexus 4
- Announced: 29 Oct 2012
- OS: Android 4.2.2 4.2.1 4.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15.3 hours of Talk Time, 390 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
LG Optimus G
- Announced: 28 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.0.4
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15 hours of Talk Time, 335 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Nokia Lumia 920
- Announced: 05 Sep 2012
- OS: Windows Phone 8
- Hardware: Dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 1024 MB RAM
- Display: 4.5 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8.7 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 17 hours of Talk Time, 400 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS

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Microsoft makes hardware requirements for WP devices less stringent

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11 Comments Follow Following

1. chocolatebear76 posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:30 1

3. Muhannad posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:47 1

11. drahmad posted on 08 Nov 2011, 00:49 0

10. clevername posted on 07 Nov 2011, 10:40 0

2. protozeloz posted on 07 Nov 2011, 07:34 0

4. remixfa posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:18 0

5. DontHateOnS60 posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:24 1

6. snowgator posted on 07 Nov 2011, 08:59 0

7. simplyj posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:00 0

8. snowgator posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:03 1

9. Jyakotu posted on 07 Nov 2011, 09:54 0

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