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Microsoft Begins Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) Rollout
MojoKid writes "While the news of late has focused on Apple's upcoming iPhone 5 launch, Microsoft has some news of their own on the mobile OS front. Windows Phone 7.5 is the first major overhaul of the system since the smaller, incremental NoDo updates began to roll out a few months ago. Starting this week, WP7 users should begin to see the v7.5 update roll their way. Microsoft claims that this release has a 'people-first' attitude, with a focus on multitasking, more integrated apps, and better mobile Web browsing, along with personalized tools, like integrated social networking and conversation threads for connecting with the people."
What would be nice would be if we (the developers) could develop WP7 applications which also have the capability to run on ARM-built Windows 8. That said, from my knowledge of the means by which Metro development is being guided, I don't see this as a possibility.
I just feel that it would open Windows 8 on ARM to many established Windows Phone 7 applications (giving it a base to tap into, much like what the iPad had going for it), but given the differences between WP7 and Windows 8, this is just a pipe dream for me. Oh well.
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I got the update today for my Samsung Focus, so far it looks like a solid upgrade.
I installed 7.5 yesterday and I haven't had a ton of time to play around with it, what I've seen so far, I like. The multitasking is smooth, and the full integration of social media is handy. I'm not sure when I'd use the Facebook chat feature, but it works. They made some changes to the Metro UI, the best part is related to searching and scrolling.
What really blows me away are the integrated search features. Rather than having to jump to a specialized application for a restaurant, I'm able to quickly find what I'm looking for, with reviews and other information, right from the search.
The reason I chose a windows phone in the first place was because of the clean interface that presents everything I need to know at a glance. 7.5 improves upon that while making significant changes under the hood. This won't convince anyone to buy a windows phone (not sure what will), but I've been very happy with my experience.
I'm Peggy.
A rolling mango gathers no moss.
It comes from Microsoft, but the cell provider can delay it. So far, only a few specific models are delayed (at least in the US).
That leaves the timetable up to Microsoft for most users; however, Microsoft is deliberately delaying it for everybody. If you get it early, great, but you can't count on the update being available to you until a month after the "release date". And even if you get an update notification on the phone it will still sometimes refuse to update. I've tried three different desktops—no joy.
Benford's Corollary to Clarke's Law: "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced."
http://www.wpcentral.com/force-mango-update-early-through-zune-software
Worked on my Samsung Focus
I have a Dell Venue Pro (unlocked), and I'm extremely happy with it. This is after two years of an iPhone, and 6 months of an Android phone.
Android felt like a basic copy of the iPhone in a lot of ways, and the battery life was so bad I couldn't keep using it. Windows Phone came out and I checked it out, seemed pretty good and different, and the battery goes on for two days with regular use. While I don't think I'll be convincing anybody here, I have to say that I've found this phone the best one so far, and with the cloud integration I find it extremely handy in a pinch.
The price is always right if someone else is paying.
Current and planned Windows Phone devices have pathetic hardware.
And yet they are performs generally better (scrolling, zooming, animations, loading times) compared to those "modern" phones.
Microsoft includes updates from the provider. But it is Microsoft that's delivering the update itself. It comes through zune and is downloaded from MS servers.
Scott Adams likes WP7 more than iOS and Android. http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/windows_phone_challenge/ I think slowly it will catch on and will certainly be the #3 player in the mobile space. Maybe #2 eventually. They also made the marketplace available on the web so you can push apps to your phone. In addition to skydrive storage, find my phone, etc... that has been there since launch. http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/marketplace