Wednesday, 5 Octorber 2011

Microsoft said it is speeding up its rollout of the Windows Phone 7 update known as Mango.

Citing successful updates in every country, carrier and for nearly every Windows Phone model, Microsoft said in a blog post that it is now making the WP 7.5 update available to 50 percent of eligible customers. It's not doing 100 percent because the company is still collecting and analyzing installation data from its smaller operators.

Microsoft said the updates are done on a random basis to accurately measure quality and pinpoint problems early.

Phones with the new OS, among many other things, will enable users to toggle between applications, search for businesses in their area and search the Internet using voice commands, as well as use a number of productivity tools more easily. In addition, users will be able to send protected messages that can neither be opened on other phones nor forwarded. A new Office suite will include updated versions of Excel, PowerPoint and other tools. And it will come with a Skype app so that users can use the calling service with the phone.

The platform update will also come with an Internet sharing option that allows mobile users to connect up to five devices at a time, just like the mobile hotspot features operators have rolled out on select smartphones. Another feature is Microsoft's new Web Marketplace, which will serve as an online resource for Windows Phone users to find, try and buy new apps and games and have them automatically delivered to the phone.