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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