Lets just get right down to it.  The next version of Windows Phone, version 8 or codename “Apollo”, is going to be HUGE.  With it comes features that bring it into direct competition with both Android and iOS, and in some cases, beats them.  Check out the feature list below that has leaked thanks to PocketNow.

• Skype integration right into the dialler
• NFC support with beam-like file transfers and Wallet-like payments
• Multi-core processor support
• Support for four newer (and presumably higher) screen resolutions
• Removable storage (microSD) support
• Shared kernel components with Windows 8, enabling easy app portability
• Sync support deeply integrated into Windows 8 rather than Zune
• Skydrive-based cloud syncing of Music similar to Google Music
• Better camera interface for app developers to build on
• DataSmart for smart control and management of data usage
• Opera Mini-like server-side compression in Internet Explorer 10 for reducing data usage
• 128-bit Native BitLocker encryption