Mango

Windows Phone Mango began rolling out to consumers Sept. 27. However, it could take several weeks for all phones to update.

Mango now bakes Twitter and LinkedIn accounts into its user interface, feeding you messages from those social networks in addition to Facebook. You can also create specific Groups of contacts, such as “Family.”

Mango smartphones can link multiple work and personal email boxes into a single message hub; or you can opt to keep them separate. Emails with a common subject are grouped together into a “conversation” view.

Microsoft has introduced new search features to Windows Phone Mango, including vision search (which enables your phone to scan QR codes and tags) and music search, which tries to guess any songs playing nearby.

Microsoft has made a more robust search experience a goal for Mango, as evidenced by features such as Bing image search—which offers results akin to the full Web version.

As with the original version of Windows Phone, users can conduct a voice search via their Mango device.

Microsoft has revamped its Xbox Live games hub.

Microsoft has adopted a conversation thread that links in multiple sources, including text messages and Facebook. Key benefit: Being able to consolidate a conversation spread over a couple of different services in one place.

The preinstalled Local Scout app offers nearby eateries and activities.

You can refine searches within Local Scout, up to choosing a certain local cuisine for your gastronomical attentions.

The expanded Office hub syncs Office documents with Microsoft’s SkyDrive, allowing you to divide editing duties between your smartphone and your laptop or desktop.??í

Microsoft Excel Mobile facilitates the creation and editing of Excel documents while on the move.??í

Microsoft has encouraged developers to create new-and-improved apps for Windows Phone Marketplace.

As with email, Mango consolidates multiple calendars into a single interface.

Windows Phone Mango introduces multitasking to Microsoft’s smartphone franchise.

The “Me” card is your jumping-off point for posting messages, receiving notifications, setting your online chat status and so on.