I think Microsoft is doing a nice job with Windows Phone 7.
App connect is pretty cool. It's nice that it shows you the apps that are relevant to your search query so I don't have to jump in and out of different apps. Being able to do this from a single point sounds awesome.
I also like Quick Cards. It's pretty similar to what Google does already, but it looks a lot nicer and better integrated with the phone.
The rest of the features are nice as well, but I think I would use the App Connect and Quick Cards the most.
If you missed the webcast of the event, they uploaded a walkthrough video of the new features here (check the channel for others): www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&...
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Here's a full list of the features:
Communications
- Threads. Switch between text, Facebook chat and Windows Live Messenger within the same conversation.
- Groups. Group contacts into personalized Live Tiles to see the latest status updates right from the Start Screen and quickly send a text, email or IM to the whole group.
- Deeper social network integration. Twitter and LinkedIn feeds are now integrated into contact cards, and “Mango” includes built-in Facebook check-ins and new face detection software that makes it easier to quickly tag photos and post to the Web.
- Linked inbox. See multiple email accounts in one linked inbox. Conversations are organized to make it easy to stay on top of the latest mail.
- Hands-free messaging. Built-in voice-to-text and text-to-voice support enables hands-free texting or chatting.
Apps
- App Connect. By connecting apps to search results and deepening their integration with Windows Phone Hubs, including Music and Video and Pictures, “Mango” allows apps to be surfaced when and where they make sense.
- Improved Live Tiles. Get real-time information from apps without having to open them. Live Tiles can be more dynamic and hold more information.
- Multitasking. Quickly switch between apps in use and allow apps to run in the background, helping to preserve battery life and performance.
Browser
- Internet Explorer 9. A browser based on the powerful Internet Explorer 9 and including support for HTML5 and full hardware acceleration.
- Local Scout. Provides hyperlocal search results and recommends nearby restaurants, shopping and activities in an easy-to-use guide.
- Bing on Windows Phone. More ways to search the Web, including Bing Vision, Music Search and Voice so it’s easy to discover and decide.
- Quick Cards. When searching for a product, movie, event or place, see a quick summary of relevant information, including related apps.
Full Microsoft press release: www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/may11/05-24...
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What do think about the new features in Windows Phone 7, code-named "Mango"?
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cass' pick
I honestly am just really psyched about how much improvement they've made with the small stuff (overall feel of the OS, app-OS integration). I believe that Scott Gu at MS said that they got the overall memory usage throughout the OS down by 30%, which is pretty excellent. Also, They moved a lot of processing stuff into new threads on the OS so that things feel and react in a much snappier fashion. I'm really excited to try out phones that come with this new version, but I'm still not sure that it's compelling enough to get me to switch to the platform.
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cass' pick
I really feel like they are trying hard to evolve the OS while keeping within their design intentions. I'm a huge fan of what they're doing and if I didn't rely so heavily on all of Google's services (Gmail in particular for personal, school, and work), then I would think about switching mobile OSes. They are doing a solid job of integrating apps and the OS.
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cass' pick
Mango seems like a good bit of progress; there are new and interesting features and more of the existing features will become available in more markets but although it looks fresh and exciting now there is no telling how it will look when it actually ships in, at least, 4 months from now.
It seems pretty competitive with what Apple is offering with the Iphone 4 but what about Iphone 5? Google might not have time to release a new phone OS by the time Mango becomes available but Ice Cream Sandwich can't be that far off and the company is still likely to maintain a high profile until then as the first interesting Honeycomb tablets start to hit the market.
Microsoft hasn't yet announced the full feature list for Mango; I'm hoping there are still some undisclosed features that might take the platform we've been shown to be at parity with today's competition and put the platform ahead with a robust enough lead to stay truly relevant by the time customers can get their hands on it.
It seems pretty competitive with what Apple is offering with the Iphone 4 but what about Iphone 5? Google might not have time to release a new phone OS by the time Mango becomes available but Ice Cream Sandwich can't be that far off and the company is still likely to maintain a high profile until then as the first interesting Honeycomb tablets start to hit the market.
Microsoft hasn't yet announced the full feature list for Mango; I'm hoping there are still some undisclosed features that might take the platform we've been shown to be at parity with today's competition and put the platform ahead with a robust enough lead to stay truly relevant by the time customers can get their hands on it.
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It's a good start. But I still would like to see better Office Integration particularly with Outlook. Desktop synicing would be nice. But also from an enterprise level, I'd love to see them leverage exchange features like Public Folders and Shared Calendars. After all it's all part of their application eco-system anyways! Why shouldn't they leverage that, and make an even better mobile Outlook Experience rather than just having one that is simply on par with the offerings of iOS and Android.
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I can't wait for Mango to hit my Focus. When WP7 launched, everyone said it was still behind and needed to catch up to Android and iOS in the feature department. Mango catches up and then goes beyond. They're setting the mobile OS bar higher with these new features.
But, I still want more. I hope they announce some new features for the Zune Software soon. Specifically, I hope they expand the backup/restore to be a FULL backup/restore. Currently, it only saves your settings and apps you've installed. All your app data and SMS messages get wiped! Without a full backup/restore like iOS offers, I doubt I'll be buying a new handset anytime soon.
But, I still want more. I hope they announce some new features for the Zune Software soon. Specifically, I hope they expand the backup/restore to be a FULL backup/restore. Currently, it only saves your settings and apps you've installed. All your app data and SMS messages get wiped! Without a full backup/restore like iOS offers, I doubt I'll be buying a new handset anytime soon.
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Local scout, quick cards and live tiles are very interesting, but this interest will depend a lot on the content available, especially outside of the US.
I still don't like the look of it, but the features are quite nice!
I still don't like the look of it, but the features are quite nice!
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All the reading I've done today about Mango has made me order a HD7. I just like the way the OS feels, so different but in good way. It seems like they put a lot of thought into every new feature. I like the philosophy that instead of apps on the phone "apps" feel more like extensions and not segregated pieces.
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Was surprised that Dell is under their stay tuned section...
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I like what Microsoft are doing here~instead of sending user across to different apps,integrating them into the OS to give a seamless experience but then they should also give enough room for developers to innovate on top of this. Like
1) The 'Local Scout' feature is simply brilliant but how will this affect foursquare/gowalla/facebook places?
2) Or are they sourcing the data via their APIs?
3) Will they open up 'Local Scout' outside US if this is the case?
4) Will they be integrating more features like check-in/offers etc? Where does this leave the other clients?
1) The 'Local Scout' feature is simply brilliant but how will this affect foursquare/gowalla/facebook places?
2) Or are they sourcing the data via their APIs?
3) Will they open up 'Local Scout' outside US if this is the case?
4) Will they be integrating more features like check-in/offers etc? Where does this leave the other clients?
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