Microsoft Announces Global Roll Out of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango

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windows-phone-7-logo

Microsoft Malaysia has announced the global release of the much-awaited Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update, which will deliver tight integration with social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; multi-tasking, built-in group chat, smarter access to applications and better web browsing experience with Internet Explorer 9.

Windows Phone 7 broke new ground when it was first announced last year. We brought innovation to mobile platforms and delivered a refreshing smartphone experience that puts people first. Windows Phone is unlike anything the market has to offer. With Windows Phone 7.5, we’re taking this innovation a step further to offer an immersive and rich social experience that is sophisticated, intuitive and a joy to use.” said Danny Ong, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia.

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I am personally very excited about the official release of Mango, having been using NoDo on my LG Optimus 7 for half a year. The Metro UI is refreshing, intuitive, snappy and elegant. Designers will appreciate the slick typographic throughout the OS. NoDo was a good first step, but was ultimately a very basic first generation system, leaving much to be desired in terms of feature-set and much to the frustration for some. Windows Phone 7.5 introduces over 300 new features which will at least bring it on par (with some additional innovation as well) with iOS and Android offerings.

As yet, no update has been pushed to the HTC HD7 I am currently testing, while I wait for my LG Optimus 7 to be returned by a friend.

A slew of new Mango-powered hardware are expected to hit the shelves at the end of the year. Nokia will likely to spearhead this onslaught.

The Windows Phone 7.5 is available for free to all Windows Phone 7 customers. Check the status of updates for Windows Phone customers are available on the “Where’s my phone update?” page. Microsoft has begun delivery of the update to existing Windows Phone 7 users and will gradually ramp up delivery so that the update will be broadly available to most existing customers by the end of October.

For more information, please visit Windows Phone Blog http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-my/default.mspx

For more information on how to update Windows Phone 7 to Windows Phone 7.5, please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedules.aspx

[spoiler title=”Show Official Press Release”]
Press Release
MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES GLOBAL ROLL OUT OF WINDOWS PHONE 7.5?

Mango delivers people-centric features like deep social media experiences, rich multi-tasking programs and superior browser experiences that is unlike any other

Malaysia, 28 September 2011 – Microsoft Malaysia today announced the global release of Windows Phone 7.5, previously code-named “Mango”. The much talked about update for the Windows Phone 7 platform which was released last year pushes the mobile operating system’s “people first” approach even further, delivering innovative features like built-in group chat and deep integration with social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, along with smarter access to applications, and a sophisticated web browsing experience that delivers a fast and beautiful web pages with Internet Explorer 9.

Modern Communication Built In
Putting people first is the overarching theme behind Windows Phone 7.5. The latest Windows Phone update has essential social networking features built into the platform, making sharing important and special moments with loved ones and friends intuitive and easy. Through the unique People feature, users can now be more connected to friends, family and loved ones with a one touch access to Windows Live, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Another innovative feature in Windows Phone 7.5 is Groups, where users may group their favourite contacts and pin them to the Start screen in order to get live updates, from text, email and IM at a glance without the need to open any application. Facebook chat, Messenger, check-ins and photo tagging are also built into Windows Phone 7.5 to provide users with a more connected experience.

In addition, Windows Phone 7.5 also features Internet Sharing for users to keep their various devices connected anywhere, anytime, offering users a seamless and continuous rich browsing experience across platforms and devices.

A Smarter Way to App
Apps are key to a smartphone experience, Windows Phone 7.5 takes this part of the user experience a step further. Apps pinned to the Start screen will be able to showcase live updates and allow users to be updated on the latest with just a single glance. The built-in search function in Window Phone 7.5 is also connected to apps to make searches easier and richer, allowing users to discover more, faster.

Internet Beyond the Browser
Users will be able to easily find shops, restaurants, entertaining public events, localized amenities, and desirables through the Local Scout app. Windows Phone 7.5 takes the internet beyond the browser with the inclusion of Internet Explorer 9 with takes advantage of hardware acceleration to deliver rich and beautiful web pages. Windows Phone 7.5 will also feature SkyDrive, a cloud-based storage for Windows Live users to upload, share and edit Microsoft Office documents and files, photos and videos, allowing for true mobility in collaboration.

“Windows Phone 7 broke new ground when it was first announced last year. We brought innovation to mobile platforms and delivered a refreshing smartphone experience that puts people first. Windows Phone is unlike anything the market has to offer. With Windows Phone 7.5, we’re taking this innovation a step further to offer an immersive and rich social experience that is sophisticated, intuitive and a joy to use.” said Danny Ong, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia.

The Windows Phone 7.5 release is available for free to all Windows Phone 7 customers. Additional details on the status of updates for Windows Phone customers are available on the http://mango.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedule-world.aspx” Where’s my phone update?” page (url: http://bit.ly/otcoNl). Microsoft will begin delivery of the update to existing Windows Phone 7 users from today and gradually ramp up delivery so that the update will be broadly available to most existing customers by the end of October.

A new range of Windows Phone 7.5 devices is expected to come to Malaysia in the coming months.

For more information, please visit Windows Phone Blog http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-my/default.mspx

For more information on how to update Windows Phone 7 to Windows Phone 7.5, please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedules.aspx
[/spoiler]

Vernon
Vernon is the founder and chief editor of Vernonchan.com. A graphic designer by profession, he has a deep love for technology, cars, gadgets, food, and travel. He tweets too much and is also known as a caffeine bacterium ("life's too short for bad coffee"). Bleeds Blue (go Chelsea FC!) and considers BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo cars to have in the garage--hallmarks of a true petrolhead.