It would seem that we finally have more insight into what Windows Phone 8 is all about, thanks to a recent leaked video in which senior vice president and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore detailed some important features about Apollo to Nokia partners.

Although the guys from Pocketnow had the inside scoop on the story, it seems that Paul Thurrott also confirms the existence of the video and the validity of all the features that Windows Phone 8 seems to be endowed with.

For one, we can now set all rumors aside and finally confirm that Windows Phone 8 will be based on the Windows 8 kernel and that support for Multicore processors will also be available.

Here is a summary of the leaked features that Windows Phone 8, in case you don’t want to read through the entire article from the guys from Pocketnow:

• Hardware- Windows Phone 8 will support Multicore processors, Four screen resolutions (actual pixel counts weren’t specified), and removable microSD card storage. There will also be support for NFC as well.
• Platform-  Windows Phone 8 will allow developers “reuse — by far — most of their code” from Windows 8 and vice versa in their apps. Also Microsoft is planning for richer version of ActiveSync as a replacement for Zune client.
• App Platform extension- Windows Phone 8 will support app-to-app communication, native Skype integration and allows camera app to be skinned by OEM’s. Windows Phone 8 will also add native code support.
• Data Management – Windows Phone 8 will feature DataSmart, which aims to reduce, and simplify the tracking of, data usage. The phone will automatically connect to Wi-Fi hotspots when available and Bing Local scout can display local hotspots in maps.
• Internet Explorer – Microsoft is planning for server side compression technique as used in Opera Mini, Kindle Fire Silk ,etc, .
• Enterprise Support- Windows Phone 8 will get native BitLocker encryption .

As we’ve mentioned earlier, Microsoft insider Paul Thurrott has also commented on these Windows Phone 8 leaked features, adding a couple more surprises to the list.

Granted, it’s pretty much the same idea as above, which comes as no shocker considering that the information is indeed valid.

It’s official, we now have confirmation that Windows Phone 8 is coming, that is tied in with Windows 8, and that it packs way more features that we expected, turning it into a more fully-developed mobile operating system.

We’ll probably come back with details on all of these features during the next couple of days, as our heads stop spinning from such great news.

Source: [Pocketnow, Paul Thurrott, wmpoweruser]