Microsoft has just announced microSD support for its new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8. The news means that owners of future Windows Phones will be able to extend their device's storage using the cards. The feature has been missing from Windows Phone until now, as although the Windows Phone 7 OS supported SD storage, it did not support the removal of microSD cards while powered on.

The slide shown at the Windows Phone Summit also detailed that "installing apps" is supported, although it's not currently clear if that refers to installing apps from, or to, external storage.

For more details on the other changes that Microsoft is adding to its mobile operating system, check out our in-depth system preview right here.