Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has remarked that the next version of Windows Phone — codenamed "Mango" — will have over 500 new features, but now the software is being officially shown off.
During a special event on Tuesday, Microsoft demonstrated the next major software release for Windows Phone. Windows Phone Mango will be available as a free software update to all existing Windows Phone customers and ship on a variety of new phones this fall. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
According to Andy Lees, president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft, Mango is a "major step forward in redefining how people communicate and use apps and the Internet." Naturally this means that most of the new features can be broken down into those three categories.
Communications
Among Mango's communications-oriented features are some enhancements to the way you'll get updates and maneuver through texts, chats, emails, IMs, and other messages:
- Threads. Switch between text, Facebook chat and Windows Live Messenger within the same conversation.
- Groups. Group contacts into personalized Live Tiles to see the latest status updates right from the Start Screen and quickly send a text, email or IM to the whole group.
- Deeper social network integration. Twitter and LinkedIn feeds are now integrated into contact cards, and “Mango” includes built-in Facebook check-ins and new face detection software that makes it easier to quickly tag photos and post to the Web.
- Linked inbox. See multiple email accounts in one linked inbox. Conversations are organized to make it easy to stay on top of the latest mail.
- Hands-free messaging. Built-in voice-to-text and text-to-voice support enables hands-free texting or chatting.
Apps
With Mango, Microsoft is attempting to integrate apps "directly into the core experience of the phone." In plain terms, this means that app notifications will get more prominent spots on the start screen and be included in search results— oh and they'll get multitasking support:
- App Connect. By connecting apps to search results and deepening their integration with Windows Phone Hubs, including Music and Video and Pictures, “Mango” allows apps to be surfaced when and where they make sense.
- Improved Live Tiles. Get real-time information from apps without having to open them. Live Tiles can be more dynamic and hold more information.
- Multitasking. Quickly switch between apps in use and allow apps to run in the background, helping to preserve battery life and performance.
Internet
Microsoft says that it is trying to take the Internet "beyond the browser," and apparently what it means is that it will give Windows Phone a speed update with Internet Explorer 9 and better integrate apps and device features with the browser:
- Internet Explorer 9. A browser based on the powerful Internet Explorer 9 and including support for HTML5 and full hardware acceleration.
- Local Scout. Provides hyperlocal search results and recommends nearby restaurants, shopping and activities in an easy-to-use guide.
- Bing on Windows Phone. More ways to search the Web, including Bing Vision, Music Search and Voice so it’s easy to discover and decide.
- Quick Cards. When searching for a product, movie, event or place, see a quick summary of relevant information, including related apps.
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- 500 new features: Can Windows Phone get in game?
- Microsoft: One out of 14 downloads is malicious
- Microsoft playing long game with Windows Phone
Rosa Golijan writes about tech here and there. She's obsessed with Twitter and loves to be liked on Facebook.
