Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 Mango

SOFTWARE GIANT Microsoft launched its Windows Phone 7 (WP7) update called Mango at 6pm UTC last night.

The update process began on Tuesday and will be a gradual process that will reach all Windows Phone 7 customers by the end of October.

Microsoft is banking on Windows Phone 7.5 to jumpstart Windows Phone 7 adoption. Mango features updated social networking integration with Twitter and Linkedin added, as well as a new feature that lets you scan and translate text using the camera.

It has Internet Explorer 9 for a faster web browser and uses Microsoft's Bing Search engine. There is also a feature called Local Scout to help users find local restaurants and attractions. The INQUIRER has done a hands on review of Windows Phone Mango.

Microsoft said at a press briefing this morning that it had added ZTE, Fujitsu and Acer to its manufacturing partners. HTC and Samsung already support the WP7 software, and Nokia has an 'exclusive' deal with Microsoft.

The WP7 upgrade comes as Microsoft updated its Windows Phone app store, Windows Marketplace, allowing users to download apps directly from a Windows Phone 7 device using the Zune software.

Microsoft's Windows Marketplace is divided between applications and games, with each country getting its own specific store. µ