Windows Phone 'Mango' Update: See The New Features

Microsoft has announced that the forthcoming version of its Windows Phone operating system, code-named "Mango," is getting a makeover with a slew of new features that aim to make the smartphones more social.

According to Microsoft, Mango comes with some 500 new features. Here's an overview of what the next version of the mobile OS will bring:

More social networking integration: The updated Windows Phone OS will enable users to import not only their Facebook contacts (which is currently available), but also their Twitter and LinkedIn contacts. Facebook on Windows Phone will also get several new tools, including face detection software and check-ins. And whereas in the previous version of Windows Phone individual contacts could be placed on the "live tiles" on the phone's homescreen, Mango will make it possible for users to create groups of contacts that are represented by these live tiles, and change that will let users "see the latest status updates and quickly send a text, email or IM to the whole group, right from the start screen," writes Microsoft.

Search revamp: Users have several new ways to use Bing on the upcoming version of Windows Phone to perform a search: the mobile search engine supports visual search using the phone's camera, voice search, and music search, as well as local search via Local Scout. Engadget explains that Local Scout "focuses your queries on the neighborhood you're in, providing location-specific results that highlight important information about establishments and events in your immediate area. Clicking through on any link brings up general information as well as reviews gleaned from popular user-generated sites."

App Upgrade: Microsoft boasts that Mango will begin displaying apps in "search results and hubs such as Music + Videos and Pictures," and that multitasking will be available.

New ways to communicate via email, text, and chat: Mango will be giving inboxes a makeover by giving users the option to view multiple email accounts in a single inbox. The new software also presents a new conversation mode by enabling users to switch between text messages, Facebook chats, and Windows Live Messenger in a single thread, with the added perk of hands-free messaging via speech-to-text, and text-to-speech tech.

Microsoft also announced that some 17,000 apps and games are currently available for Windows Phone, a number that pales in comparison to the approximately 500,000 iOS apps available on Apple's App Store (which include apps not only for the iPhone, but also for the iPad, and iPod touch).

Learn more about the new features via Microsoft's blog post.

LOOK:

• • • • "Groups" on WIndows Phone

WATCH:

Comments

[angryllama]

04:58 PM on 07/20/2011

History books have it all wrong. On March 23rd 1775, Patrick Henry proclaimd, "Give me native Flash support or give me death!"

[templescroll]

03:27 AM on 06/21/2011

Wow, MANGO...really? It doesn't look like a mango, it probably doesn't smell like a mango or taste like one either. who comes up with these FKN stupid names: ie Blackberry. Somebody please! feed these designers before we end up with a phone called MEATLOAF.

[sjmarcus]

11:39 PM on 07/17/2011

Mango is just the code name (Like honeycomb and gingerbread on Android), Microsoft isn't going to actually call it Mango. Although... I think that Mango, Honeycomb, and Gingerbread are actually cool product names.

[liberalandproud72]

04:08 AM on 05/26/2011

two thumbs up! Microsoft is back!

[conservicide]

08:03 PM on 05/25/2011

a nerd with a fruity hairdo is still a nerd

[ResearchtheFacts]

06:43 PM on 05/25/2011

For all you Apple people in denial...it is a Trojan Horse here is the video!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTgLIl-CcbU&feature=player_embedded

[Meriwether]

03:42 PM on 05/25/2011

Just got a Samsung Focus, is excellent! Now the rant. Why, why must the media in every single story on WP7 say something like "some 17,000 apps and games are currently available for Windows Phone, a number that pales in comparison to the approximately 500,000 iOS apps available on Apple's App Store." THIS MEANS NOTHING! Most of those 500,000 apps are complete crap. The question is whether you can find what you want and if it works for you. The number of apps in iOS store has NOTHING to do with this story. How about this lazy tech writer? What is the average number/value of the apps purchased by a WP7 user vs. the same for an iPhone user? I have no idea whether WP7 compares favorably to iOS in this regard, but it would be a meaningful comparision of the quality/value of the apps.

[ccrevecoeur78]

05:05 PM on 05/25/2011

Couldn't agree with you more. Quality is better than Quantity

[MrVee]

11:22 AM on 05/26/2011

cosign you both. I currently own an Android device and many of the more popular apps are badly written and missing features. Linked-In app for example. The IOS app is feature rich and simply looks well made. The same app on Android is missing several features IOS has. It is the principal reason why when Mango drops, I drop Android. I won't need them.

[frank day]

12:44 PM on 05/25/2011

I want I want I want

[FalstaffsMind]

07:12 AM on 05/25/2011

Why does it look like it's in the wrong resolution? In every picture part of the text is cut off.

[garyide]

10:33 PM on 05/25/2011

This is by design as a visual clue. When you realize what it means, it makes the phone very useful. Seeing part of the text to the left or right is a visual indication that you can slide left or right. Watch the video again and notice that whenever you see that, Joe is able to swipe left or right.

[macewan]

06:46 AM on 05/25/2011

Mango? Too funny.

[LittleSanityLeft]

09:30 AM on 05/25/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwDZ0AdsFq8&feature=related

And equally compelling.

[European1919]

06:33 AM on 05/25/2011

Simply the fact that it is a Microsoft product is enough reason for me to not even consider it. Anything from HTC running on Android is an excellent alternative to the iphone.

[LittleSanityLeft]

09:35 AM on 05/25/2011

I own a a Samsung focus. It's a great phone. Andriod is great as well get what works best for you.

[hassia]

02:16 PM on 05/26/2011

ditto.

[van CA]

06:22 AM on 05/25/2011

iPhone ki||er

[Draekia]

07:21 AM on 05/25/2011

lol

[llibsetag]

05:52 AM on 05/25/2011

Where's the Start Button so I can shut it off? Where's Clippy? Where's BOB? Where do I plug my MSMOUSE into? Does it play Solitare? Can I tether this to my Zune?Does Mango work on my Palm WindowsPC Phone? Can I update my Kin Phone to Mango? What? No? Forget it!

[LittleSanityLeft]

09:41 AM on 05/25/2011

Start button is on the right side of the phone. No clippy but you can buy one if that turns you on. Bob is now living with Waldo find Waldo and you find Bob. Everything is touch based no mouse needed. It has hundreds of games solitaire being among them. Zune is built into the OS, so yeah, you can. Mango is a WP7 update, why would you want it for a WindowsPC phone? Kin Phone? Look to last answer.

[MaxPowerXP]

11:07 PM on 05/25/2011

Oh, we're reaching back 15-20 years for our OS-related insults now?

LOL WHERE'S THE ONE-BUTTON MOUSE FOR MY IPHONE LOL, LET ME WRITE THIS DOWN ON MY NEWTON LOL, LET'S GO HOME AND PLAY THE PIPPIN OR MAYBE MY "GRAPE" IMAC.

[PaddockGirl]

12:28 AM on 05/25/2011

I have been having a love/hate relationship with my Windows Phone. There are some missing features that leaves me completely baffled in the this very competitive mobile phone era. It is a beautiful phone with many virtues and I appreciate its uniqueness to the Droids and the iPhone.

I have been wanting to know for months, the full detail of the fabled Mango updates. The features sound cool. Got to check out the full list as there are some changes I've been hoping for;the phone would be near perfect for me

[MrVee]

11:45 PM on 05/24/2011

This IS my next cell phone purchase. No doubt about it.

[llibsetag]

11:11 PM on 05/24/2011

Must get a Windows7 Phone with MANGO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwDZ0AdsFq8

[rstat1]

05:37 PM on 07/20/2011

No such thing as a Windows 7 Phone.