Windows Phone 7 Mango update coming in Fall with new handset makers and boatload of features

At the Windows Phone VIP preview today, Microsoft revealed a number of new handset makers building Windows Phone 7 devices and highlighted some of the newer features coming to their smartphone OS though the new Mango revision.

The day began with reports of a leaked memo from Microsoft Romania which revealed the details of the launch such as 500 new features for the updated mobile OS slated to start rolling out 'in the Fall.'

Some of the notable new features in Windows Phone 7 Mango include:

• Threads. You can toggle between messages, chat up, and Windows Live Messenger, all in the same conversation

• Groups. Contact groups Tiles custom Live turns to see the latest statuses and quickly send a message to an email or instant message to the entire group, directly from the Start screen

• Better integration with social networks. Twitter and LinkedIn contacts are integrated into the card and can include up Mango check-in, also have available one nine facial detection software that makes it easy tagging your photos or posting them on the Internet

• Linked inbox. More email accounts in a secure inbox, conversations are organized so you can view the most recent mail

• Hands-free messaging. Built-in speech-to-text and text-to-speech, which allows writing messages and chat hands-free

More than a bells and whistles update, the Mango revision also brings enhanced functionality such as,

• Connect App. By connecting and integrating applications on their search results in Windows Phone Hubs, including Music and Videos and Pictures, applications are visible when and where needed.

• Live Tile's improved. You can get updated information without requiring applications to be open. Live Tiles are now more dynamic and can store more information.

• Multitasking. Applications can be rotated quickly and at the same time, others may run in the background, while retaining the performance and battery duration.

Internet Explorer, microsoft's mobile browser, will also receive some updates including.

• Internet Explorer 9. The power of a PC browser-based IE9 support for HTML5 and support for hardware acceleration

• Recognize local (Local Scout). Providing local results and recommendations for nearby restaurants, shops and suggested activities, present in a user-friendly guide

• Bing Windows Phone. More ways to search the Internet, including Bing Vision, Voice and Music Search, so that decision making is easier

• Quick Cards (Quick Cards). When searching for a product, movie, event or place we provide a summary and relevant applications

While widely applauded for being an easy to use and stable mobile OS, the lack of multi-tasking, cut-copy-and-paste as well as the dearth of third party applications have made adoption challenging specially from users of Apple's iOS and Google's Android OS smartphone systems which have had a three and two year head start in development and applications respectively.

New Partners

Microsoft pulled a coup early this year by baggin Nokia as a partner in its ecosystem, Microsoft also announced new manufacturers Acer, Fujitsu Ltd. and ZTE Corp who will make new handsets for WP7.