Microsoft has certainly left the tech world talking about the company’s forthcoming slate of smartphones and tablets, all of which will be powered by the revamped Windows 8 platform.
As we get closer to launch, new details are beginning to come to light about Microsoft’s plans for the platform.
We can now confirm that Microsoft will only support in-app purchasing on Windows phones running the new system.
“The revelation isn’t surprising as Microsoft plans to manage in-app purchases via its new Wallet Hub in Windows Phone 8,” observes Tom Warren of The Verge. “The confirmation of a lack of in-app purchasing for the Windows Phone 7.8 update appears to suggest that existing devices will miss out on the Wallet Hub functionality too.”
Microsoft discussed its Wallet Hub in detail at a Windows Phone Summit in June, including its support for NFC, contactless payments, deals, loyalty cards, in-app purchases, and credit and debit cards. Although existing Windows Phone users will get a 7.8 update, that includes the new Start Screen, a lot of other features are still relatively unknown.
For now, ad Warren suggested, it remains unclear what Microsoft’s long-term support plans for Wallet actually are.