14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is working to make Windows Phone 10 a much more powerful rival for Google’s Android and Apple’s own iOS, so the upcoming version of the operating system is very likely to come with features specifically aimed at competing with those available on these two platforms.
For example, WMPU has recently come across some job postings indicating that Microsoft is working on its very own NFC payment system that could be available not only on Windows 10, but also on Windows Phone 10.
The world’s number one software maker wants to unify all platforms with the release of Windows 10, so pretty much the same feature lineup will be available across a wide array of devices, including PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
This is one of the reasons behind Microsoft’s decision to bring traditional Windows Phone features on the desktop, among which Cortana, a notification center, and Battery/Data Sense, with Windows 10 Technical Preview serving as living proof that this thing is likely to happen in 2015.
Software engineers wanted
In job ads posted on Microsoft’s Careers website, Redmond says that it wants a Senior Software Engineer in Development and a Senior Software Engineer in test groups to “join the team that builds the platform for NFC payments, across all Microsoft devices. We are building on the momentum we’ve created with new NFC payment capabilities shipped in Windows Phone 8.1.”
While no specifics have been provided, it’s very clear that Microsoft is looking to make Windows Phone devices better for NFC payments, as its main rivals Google and Apple have already invested heavily in these sides of the market.
NFC payments are already possible in Windows Phone 8.1, but Microsoft is most likely trying to improve these features in Windows 10. However, it remains to be seen how much time the company actually needs to ship the new operating system.
Preview coming next month
People close to Microsoft’s development plans have indicated that Redmond is looking to ship a preview version of Windows Phone 10 as soon as next month for users enrolled in the Preview for Developers program.
Obviously, the preview is very likely to lack many of the features that would be implemented in the final operating system, and given the fact that the company is only now looking for engineers to work on NFC payments, do not expect this early version to come with such capabilities.
The company hasn’t yet confirmed this, but an official announcement is expected to arrive by the end of the month.
