Microsoft has announced that the latest version of the Windows Phone 7 operating system, known as Mango, has reached Ready To Manufacturing (RTM) status. It has started releasing it to OEMs and operators across the world, to allow them to roll out the update across their hardware, UI customizations, and networks.
The precise Windows Phone Mango update version number has yet to be announced, with documentation describing it as Windows Phone 7.1, and beta firmware reading as Windows Phone 7.5. While that mystery may take some more time to become crystal clear, Microsoft has not skimped too much while detailing some of the biggest of the over 500 new features Mango will supposedly bring. These include true multitasking for all apps; a new Internet Explorer 9 browser and a new Bing; a new unified linked inbox; a thread-based IM aggregator; a new Groups-based contact system; native integration for Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook; and improved Live Tiles for quick notifications and personalized glance-and-go information.
Also new are such native apps Local Scout, Quick Cards, and App Connect, all meant to improve discoverability of apps and venues. Read our previous coverage for more details about the new features. On the developer side of things, new Mango-ready APIs and developer tools were released by Microsoft more than two months ago, however, full-release versions of the SDK and firmware are still due. Refer to the developer site for more information.
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Previously, back in March this year, Microsoft had released the NoDo update for Windows Phone 7, one that got the platform over many of its numerous basic limitations, such as no copy/paste functionality, and connectivity problems, as well as bringing a wealth of interface and performance enhancements.
New hardware for Mango, i.e., new phones shipping and optimized to run with the update will be arriving soon, as early as September – with Fujitsu Toshiba (one of the new set of manufacturers to join the WP7 bandwagon) already announcing the IS12T (seen far below) with a Snapdragon MSM8655 single core processor and Adreno 205 GPU onboard, behind its 3.7-inch WVGA screen. It also has a 13.2MP camera onboard. The first Nokia Windows Phone handsets are expected soon after, such as the Sea Ray.
Also read:
Nokia’s first Windows Phone 7 device spotted – codenamed Sea Ray
Microsoft details the Windows Phone 7 ‘Mango’ update at MIX 11
Windows Phone 7 NoDo update arrives, brings copy paste and more [Update]
Also check the video below with Joe Belfiore detailing some of the biggest improvements in the Window Phone Mango update:
