Windows Phone users have read about the Apollo update for many weeks, so the fact that there is one coming is nothing new. What is new, however, is more information about the anticipated update from a leaked promotional video from a Windows Phone manager to a phone manufacturer.

Information contained in that leaked video confirmed that the Apollo update would introduce dual-core chipsets and more screen resolution choices. It also confirmed that Apollo will bring Windows Phone 8 into the operating system arena and put the mobile platform kernels on par with Windows 8, and the mobile and PC platforms will share network stacks, multimedia code and security.

Apollo’s elevation of the OS to Windows 8 will apparently involve dumping Zune for dedicated client applications, which might be SkyDrive, due to be integrated more fully as a

“cloud-syncing service.”

SkyDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service that freely accompanies any Windows Live account, specifically through free hotmail.com and live.com email accounts. No separate enrolment is required: If you have a hotmail or live email account, you have a SkyDrive account. Much like Google Documents, users can store documents and other compatible file types that can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer. SkyDrive offers up to 25 GB of data storage at no charge.

Skype integration into Windows phones was already leaked to the mobile news, and the IM/call programme should allow VoIP calls to present themselves just as regular phone calls.

Server-side compression speeds up web page delivery in the Apollo update, as well as increased encryption security.

Microsoft seems to be closely following its annual schedule for major overhaul updates, and the Apollo update to Windows Phone 8 is one to watch for. This particular update outstrips any other mobile platform update since Microsoft tossed aside Windows Mobile, and the software giant is hoping that the newly revised mobile platform will lift the OS closer to Android and iOS popularity.