New reports are suggesting that the next major update to the Windows Phone platform, Windows Phone 7.5 code-named Mango, has been released to manufacturing and various carriers for testing. This was proven to be false by a tweet from Microsoft. However, the final build number is still slated to be 7710.
According to the Windows Phone Dev Podcast which was published yesterday, Mango has already been released to manufacturing. In fact, the final build number will be 7710.
‘Mango’ will feature an updated user interface with the intentions of “making it easier for the user to launch, to search, to find, to buy and to install” apps. The update will also feature a 25% improvement in memory efficiency and support for deep links into application content. We will also see a feature called Live Agents as well as better multitasking. IE9 will also be making an appearance in the update.
Microsoft was working on a built-in application for Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) users that allows for combined control of popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The way it works is very simple. The People Hub will have social networking features that include updates fetched from a user’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. It is intended to make it easier to view your updates in one easy place, rather than going to three different places.
Microsoft recently posted a job description from the Windows Phone 7 team asking for an interested person to join project that is designed to “disrupt the market.” It is unknown exactly what this means, but it has something to do with the government and security clearances.
Stay tuned as this story develops..
Update: Sr. Director of Communications at Microsoft for the Windows Phone Division, Bill Cox just tweeted: “For those following the rumor mill, @windowsphone Mango has not yet hit RTM. We’re excited about the progress… stay tuned.”
Further reading: Microsoft, Windows Phone 7
