After Microsoft introduced the world to its new Windows 8 operating system and first ever tablet, the Surface, sending the tech world into frenzy, the day has finally arrived for the company's smartphone OS to shine. Windows Phone 8 will be unveiled today at 10 a.m. PDT, 1 p.m. EDT at a media event in San Francisco, Calif.

How to live stream the event:
Microsoft will lie stream the event itself through the Microsoft News Center and Microsoft Phone Facebook page

Live blogs:

Or, follow along by reading minute-by-minute updates from these tech blogs.

PC World

The Verge

CNET

Ars Technica

Windows Phone 8 smartphones

Samsung, Nokia, and HTC have all confirmed that they will be making Windows Phone 8 enabled smartphones (HTC Windows Phone 8X, Samsung ATIV S, and Lumia 820/810).

The Nokia Lumia 920 perhaps the most anticipated of the bunch, according to BGR, "multiple sources" confirmed that AT&T is currently planning to launch the heavily hyped smartphone on Nov. 11.

"The Lumia 920 will be also be offered in three colors at AT&T retail stores," BGR wrote.

The Lumia 920 recently appeared on BestBuy.com with a $149.99 price tag for a two-year contract with AT&T - $50 less than Apple's iPhone 5. The posting has since been removed.

Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 aren't exactly the same thing, but they do share many similarities: "A common file system, and drivers, as well as security components and media and graphics support. It's as close to Windows 8 Pro as is Windows RT - they are three separate operating systems with a common interface based on the same code," says PC Advisor.

This all should allow Windows Phone 8 smartphones to work with their counterpart PCs in an unprecedented manner. "You'll be able to run some of the same programs - Internet Explorer 10 being the poster child for this. Microsoft claims that IE 10 will be the fastest and most secure mobile browser around - and you'll be able to share it across multiple Windows devices," added PC Advisor.

Windows Phone 8 specs:

Microsoft did announce that Windows Phone 8 will support "bigger, shaper screens", specifically stating 1280x768 and 1280x720 would be the two options on offer "opening the door to amazing new handsets with high-definition 720p displays."

However we can report that unlike previous versions of Windows Phones that couldn't handle multi-core processors, Windows Phone 8 can. This unlocks a heap of potential as all of the modern day power-phones all boast quad-core processors; it's even been reported that in theory Windows Phone can can support a 64-core processor, which is frankly crazy.

The Windows 8 characteristic tiles are being upgraded in Windows Phone 8 to become "even more personal." The new OS will offer up to 20 color schemes and three new sizes of tiles.

Windows Phone 8 will have NFC. NFC, or Near Field Communication allows you to share files via contact easily and it also has the potential to be your debit/credit card and travel card all at the same time. Now it's just up to the major banks and other large companies to embrace and unlock the new technology, a process Apple is currently engaged in with its Passbook app, which the company uses instead of NFC.

Windows Phone 8 will offer expandable storage with removable MicroSD Cards.

Microsoft is promising to "unleash a new wave of amazing apps and especially games," suggesting Xbox may be playing a role.

"Microsoft's one size fits hall approach to Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, RT and 8 Pro tablets also makes developing an app for Windows a whole lot more appealing," according to PC Advisor. A new report says that the Windows Phone Store now has 125,000 apps, compared to 100,000 apps months before. While the store looks to be growing rapidly, the app offerings still pale in comparison to Apple's ample ecosystem of 250,000 apps.

Internet Explorer will come built-in with Windows Phone 8, which Microsoft says is faster, more secure and has the ability to block dangerous websites and malware.

Windows Phone 8 will also come pre-loaded with Nokia mapping, which offers you turn-by-turn navigation using global NAVTEQ mapping data, and the ability to store maps offline so you don't waste your data downloading the same map everyday.

Windows Phone 8 comes with native 128-bit Bitlocker encryption, and a Secure Boot mode.

Microsoft is baking in VoIP and video chat integration into any voice- or video-calling app. VoIP (in most cases the Skype service) will work just like any other kind of call, only without the costs. You won't need to boot a specific app in order to utilize Internet calling.

Windows Phone 8 offers various different camera filters, Lenses, which are available from the Windows Store for use with Windows Phone 8's native camera app. The native camera app is changing, too. There's now pinch to zoom, and additional flash options.

Windows Phone 8 will finally offer a feature available on Apple's iPhone for generations: users can now easily take screen captures on their phones. Hold down the power and home buttons at the same time and you can capture a picture of what is on your screen.

Another long awaited update: When your phone is locked, Windows Phone 8 allows apps to push notifications on to the lock screen. You can enter the app from the lock screen if you are further interested.