News Analysis: Windows Phone 7's "Mango" update will be hitting phones this fall, and it will deliver a number of features that users will welcome in the mobile operating systems. The only question is why weren't they in the original release of Phone 7?
Microsoft
is inching closer to launching its Windows Phone 7 "Mango" update. The
upcoming operating system improvement will be coming to devices this fall and
is now in the hands of vendors so they can preinstall it on their devices so
they will be ready for the official launch.
Mango
is releasing at an extremely important time for Microsoft. The software giant
has been trying desperately over the last several months to cement its position
in the mobile market, but so far, it has fallen short as its top competitors,
iOS and Android, continue to appeal to both consumers and enterprise users.
Of
course, much of that has been due to Microsoft's own issues. The company waited
too long to release Windows Phone 7, and when it finally did, the operating
system lacked a host of important features, such as full multitasking. But
Microsoft is addressing that problem and others with Mango.
Read
on to find out about
some of the most important improvements Microsoft is bringing to Mango.
1. Apps and search play well together
One
of the most important additions in Mango is the ability to search the Web via
Bing and, based on what the user is looking for, call up apps related to a query.
As Microsoft points out, if users are searching for movie times, for example,
the new feature will provide users with a direct download point to add the
Fandango app to their phones. If it's implemented well, the feature could have
a profound impact on Microsoft's mobile application support.
2. Full multitasking
One
of the biggest complaints of Windows Phone 7 users
has been the platform's lack of full multitasking. With Mango, users will
be able to switch between applications easily, as well as have multiple
applications running at the same time. Considering competing operating systems
already have that functionality, it's about time Microsoft follows suit.
3. Better Live Tiles
Microsoft
has promised far more appealing functionality in its platform's Live Tiles.
According to the company, its Live Tiles will provide more real-time data, as
well as allow users to track individuals or groups of people from their
devices. Live Tiles is far more useful in Mango, and most Windows Phone 7 users
will be happy to see that.
4. People Hub is a nice addition
Microsoft
is making it easier for people to keep in contact in Mango. A new addition
called People Hub will help users find all the online places where they can
contact a friend. One of the biggest issues on mobile devices now is finding
where people are. People Hub is designed to cut down on those issues, and by
the look of things, consumers will be happy to have it.
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