Windows Phone 8 Rumors Sharpen

Apple's much-anticipated update to iOS won't be the only phone platform making news this week. Windows Phone 8 also has been building buzz in recent days, thanks to the alleged discovery of a Nokia Lumia 920 prototype running an early build of the mobile OS's next version.

Screenshots of the revamped OS were posted over the weekend to Redditand other social media sites. Among visible tweaks, the inclusion of a Notification Center is the standout. Microsoft admitted last November that it considered including the feature when Windows Phone 8 launched in October but "ran out of time." The Notification Center has unsurprisingly figured in Windows Phone update rumors ever since.

The screenshots also depict new calendar views, additional ways to sort apps, and hints that Microsoft is readying not only improved multi-tasking capabilities, but perhaps even a Siri competitor called Cortana, after the artificially intelligent character from Halo.

Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the leak, but The Verge, citing sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, reported that the images are legitimate. The site stated, however, that the Lumia 920 from which the screenshots were taken is an early prototype, and that Microsoft will not release an update until next year. Windows Phone Central, meanwhile, was told by "a trusted source" that some of the update's leaked features, including the Notification Center, have been removed from later builds.

Apple famously lost a prototype iPhone in a bar, and it appears Microsoft's phone infiltrated the wild through a similar mishap. The phone was allegedly purchased via Craigslist, according to The Verge, which contacted the user who posted screenshots to Reddit. The buyer said he noticed suspicious details right away, such as a "MSFT" etching, which doesn't appear on retail phones, on the back. He said Microsoft contacted him via personal information revealed in the screenshots, and that the company said the prototype had been lost on a bus. The buyer agreed to exchange the illicit phone for a replacement.

Although the leak does not provide any definitive insight into Microsoft's plans for Windows Phone 8, it's likely that official details will follow in coming months. The platform has fared relatively well since hitting the market late last year; according to IDC, the OS snared 3.2% of the smartphone market during the first quarter, tripling its year-over-year share. Thanks in part to the fledgling success of low-end models, research firm Canalys recently projected that Windows Phone 8 will claim 12.7% of the market by 2017, putting it within striking distance of Apple's iOS for second place.

Still, such long-term projections are ripe for disruption, and neither Apple nor Google, whose Android platform is expected to remain the top smartphone OS for the foreseeable future, is standing pat. To maintain its momentum, Microsoft will be pushing updates as well, and though the company has yet to reveal its timeline, it's likely only a matter of time until some of the recently-hinted features are officially confirmed.

MapQuest app for Windows Phone 8 now available, free to download

Microsoft has announced the availability of the brand new MapQuest app for Windows Phone 8. For those who desire an alternative app for mapping, this app is not only free but will make you happy.

"The MapQuest app gets the job done and looks good doing it. The clean, modern design shows real-time traffic conditions, calculates driving routes, and supplies voice-guided directions. Handy optional map layers make it easy to find restaurants, hotels, and other places of interest. Pin your destination to Start for quick access, with Live Tile updates based on your current location," Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

The app has a ton of features, including voice guided navigation, real-time traffic conditions, ability to search for places and much more. Here's a breakdown of the app's features:

Voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Reliable directions using MapQuest's patented routing technology
Easily find restaurants, hotels, gas stations & more using MapQuest's innovative Map Layers feature
Live traffic conditions updated every 5 minutes
Quick access to recent searches and favorite locations
Driving or walking directions provide the optimal route for your needs
Clean, elegant design makes it easy to get the info you need quickly
Hit the download link below to snag this free app for Windows Phone 8. Let us know in the comments below if you prefer this app over other mapping apps you currently use on your smartphone!