Windows Phone 8 to let you backup messages to Hotmail, Outlook.com

Microsoft made an announcement regarding the release of its Windows 8 OS in June, and not soon after certain unannounced features of Windows 8 popped up online. One of the features mentioned a backup option that will let users store messages, apps and settings on the cloud.

Now The Verge has learnt more details of how this backup to cloud option will work for users signing in with a Microsoft account.

Backup options in Windows Phone 8, much like Apple's iCloud, will let users automatically upload photos and video to SkyDrive providing greater control over backups. Additionally, Windows Phone 8 will offer the ability to sync SMS and MMS messages to Hotmail or Outlook.com and sync settings such as themes and accounts. The backup feature will also allow syncing of App lists and other individual app settings.

Now when users launch a Windows Phone 8 device, they will be prompted to sign-in or create a Microsoft account to sync all their data.The icons in the new prompt screen hint at syncing a user's photos, contacts, music, documents, messages and apps with an Xbox or PC. The Xbox syncing bit isn't confirmed yet but it seems users will be able to share data on the console through SkyDrive.

More details of the backup feature are expected to be unveiled at the Windows Phone 8 event in New York on September 5. What we're also hoping to see is if the software giant will reveal the list of other Windows Phone 8 features like Data Sense, a Lenses feature pertaining to camera and the Xbox Music store amongst others.

(Edited by Kunal Dua)