Windows Phone 8 arrives with handsets this week

[Simon]

Microsoft has unveiled its next-generation smartphone OS, Windows Phone 8 in San Francisco, announcing a clutch of new apps and features not previously announced.

Most of the details of the new smartphone OS had been unveiled by Microsoft at an event in New York in June, but a few features were held back for the main launch, in contrast to last week's Windows 8 and Surface events last week.

The standout new feature, for hard-pressed parents at least, is Kids Corner. This new feature allows mums and dads to create a walled garden accessed with a swipe to the left from the lock screen, with access only to selected apps and games.

"It's a separate place on your phone, that's for your kids," said Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiori, before wheeling his own children on to the stage to demonstrate the feature. The feature could see an end to accidental app purchases, he said, and even allows children to create their very own Live Tile-based home screen.

The other major new feature is the well-leaked Data Sense, a feature Microsoft said will allow users to eke more life out of their data plans. The feature monitors mobile data use, showing which apps are using the most data, and helps users find local Wi-Fi hotspots via Windows Phone 8's Maps feature.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/377833/windows-phone-8-arrives-with-handsets-this-week

[Technical Ben]

Needs to be more options like this on devices in general. Some have really good parental controls, others not so much. Its not just children either. If lending a ipad ect to kids or family, you'd not want them to click that Ebay app by mistake and spend all the monies.

[Simon]

The voice of bitter experience? 

[Technical Ben]

No. Just of reason and sensibility. I'm the kind of person who does not give his car keys to toddlers, because I know of others who had them flushed down the loo. 
Well, I have had younger brothers take over my Mario Saves. Child Locks would have helped me keep those safe!