Windows Phone 8 details revealed in leaked promo video

A video showcasing the features of Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Phone 8 OS has been leaked.

According to Pocketnow, the video shows Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore outlining the functionality of the unreleased OS - codenamed Apollo - in a presentation intended for Nokia, one of its Windows Phone licensees.

First off, Apollo will apparently make use of NFC chips in new Windows Phone-powered handsets, allowing you to enjoy a "Wallet experience" by sharing data and making mobile payments.

Data tracking on Windows Phone devices will become easier, thanks to a new feature called DataSmart, which will attempt to prioritise wi-fi connections and auto connect to carrier-owned WLANs when in range.

Rather unsurpisingly, Internet Explorer will remain the default browser on Windows Phone blowers after the Apollo update. What is interesting, though, is that this mobile version of Internet Explorer (a.k.a. Internet Explorer 10) will take advantage of server-side compression to reduce the amount of data required to view websites.

A new integrated Skype client will also reportedly be available after the Apollo update, plus BitLocker encryption, improved camera apps, and more.

Speaking of apps, Microsoft anticipates 100,000 of the blighters will be available in the Windows Phone Marketplace by the time Apollo arrives on the scene in mid-2012.