Today Microsoft have announced their new updates to the Windows Phone 7 and the new version was called Mango. As there were rumors a few days back, it appears that 500 new features have been implemented. Not all were made public at the press conference but we should see the rest in the next period.
First important updates are regarding the communications. The Mango has an organizer for social networking applications. User will be able to chat on Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and SMS in the same time or switch fast between these. Contacts can now be grouped into personalized live tiles; have Twitter, Linkedin feeds integrated. Also Facebook comes with check-in service and face detection software. There are good news for email too because you can link multiple accounts in a single Inbox now. Final communication update brings voice-to-text and text-to-voice capability for a hands free SMS or chat.
Next is the Applications approach with Windows Hub. Applications are grouped in one place and can be opened where and when are needed. To most expected feature is the multitasking witch has finally arrived on Mango. Now users can open several applications and can leave a few to run in background to save battery life and performance.
The internet navigation has been improved with Internet Explorer 9. And is the mobile version based on the PC version, but has full hardware acceleration and HTML 5 support. With the Local Scout option you can now receive search results based on current location with shopping and social activities recommendations. Bing is the default search engine for web and with Quick Cards you can have a relevant information summary of a product, place, movie or event.
At the end Microsoft have announced new hardware partners which will release new Windows phones. These are Acer, Fujitsu, ZTE and are added to the ones that are already have windows phones: Samsung, LG Mobile and HTC. Of course the new strategic partnership with Nokia was mentioned. I remember that HTC promoted Android and Android promoted HTC in the world about 2-3 years ago and this continues Today. I believe the same thing may happen with Nokia and Microsoft - it`s something like help me help you situation.
In the end, it appears to me that Windows Phone has now caught Android from behind and can have a fair battle now in the mobile OS market.
