The next time you're out battling the crowd at Wally World stocking up on toilet paper, cereal, and fish bait (hopefully for different purposes and not because of some weird fetish), you may decide to add a Windows Phone 7.5 device to your shopping cart. It's not exactly a tough sell when the mega retailer decides to give one away for free, like it's doing with Nokia's Lumia 710 smartphone.
While its harsh to judge a device against the oft-outlandish rumors preceding its launch, the disappointment surrounding the iPhone 4S launch was justified as the upgrades did not seem commensurate with the long gap between the 4S and its predecessor. However, the smartphone’s voice-activated personal assistant Siri is an entirely different matter, with even Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently calling it a “significant development.” Microsoft’s Craig Mundie, though, is not in awe of Siri.
Hard to believe it’s been a year since Windows Phone 7 was launched in the US. Microsoft’s partners certainly haven’t been releasing new devices at an Android-like pace, but there are several new devices launching with Mango on both AT&T and T-Mobile. In addition to all of the new features that Mango brings to existing hardware there are some additional upgrades you will only notice if using one of these newly launched devices. One of the most welcome upgrades is support for front-facing cameras. We have to admit that we are rather surprised that the first video-calling app for Windows Phone isn’t Skype, but Tango for Windows Phone definitely brings some attractive functionality to the platform.
Nokia’s recently announced Lumia 800 seems like a competent smartphone, the only problem is that it’s not available in the US. The Verge is reporting that there’s a perfectly good explanation for that. Nokia is working closely with AT&T to bring the Lumia 800 to the US with LTE 4G data on the carrier’s brand new network.
Are you a mover and a shaker? What’s that, you’re not sure? If you were on Klout, there wouldn’t be any doubt in your mind. The service keeps track of your activity across the social networks and assigns you a numerical score that lets you know, basically, whether you’re hot or you’re not. If you’ve got Klout, you might get a Mango-packing Windows Phone, too; Microsoft’s giving away 500 of the devices – along with passes to VIP launch parties – through the Klout Perks rewards program.
Windows Phone 7 is one of our favorite mobile platforms, and the Mango update brings some core functionality that was missing in the original release. With all of the new features and tools, there is a minor learning curve, but this list of tips will get you using Mango like a pro in no time. We’ll go through many of the individual apps and utilities that you are familiar with in Windows Phone 7, and show you the new enhancements that can make your life easier.
In an interview with The Seattle Times, Andy Lee, president of Microsoft's Windows Phone division, took a few potshots at the competition while talking up his company's Mango platform. Mango, or Windows Phone 7.5, was introduced to some existing Windows Phone users last month and introduces 500 new features. But is it better than the competition?
We know what you’re thinking: Ebay? Really? Obviously readers of this site are familiar with the auction mega-site, even if you don’t use it on principal. Ebay’s selection as App of the Week has a lot to do with their use of new capabilities offered by the Mango update for Windows Phone. For those that are fans of both Windows Phone and Ebay (yes, all three of you), the Ebay app is a thing of beauty.
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