Microsoft has finally finished rolling out their Mango 7.5 update for their Windows Phone mobile operating system. Like with any mobile OS, there are always changes and upgrades that can be made. Let's not forget that Apple famously patched iOS to add some glaring omissions like copy and paste to its iPhone. And Mango 7.5 looks to do the same, they're righting some wrongs and are looking to add some 500 changes in the first system wide update to its mobile OS since its release last year.
Along with the Mango 7.5 update Microsoft is pushing a number of new handsets from Nokia, HTC and Samsung, so a smooth and orderly transition from 7 to 7.5 is needed. Now, there's not the same level of excitement for 7.5 as there would be for a new version iOS, but that doesn't mean it's not an exciting update. We'll take a look at the major changes that you can expect when you jump ship to 7.5
Windows Phone 7.5 Mango offers 500 updates, while many of the changes are largely wholesale changes, many are hidden in the background and are tweaks under the hood of the Windows OS.
What’s new
One of the changes Microsoft is proud of is the advent of their multiple message system, which tries to purge all messages, whether they be via SMS, Twitter, Facebook and other media into one place - and if were honest it hasn't really worked and isn't something that works in the real world, very rarely do social conversations span across several systems and therefore doesn't really work in practice.
A welcomed inclusion for Mango is Internet tethering, where you can create a open network from your handset and harness your 3G connection to enable broadband on a laptop, notebook or tablet. It works well, as it should, and we were easily able to connect a tablet to our ad-hoc 3G network, which could have real benefits when on the move.
Mango also comes with hands-free messages which allows you to speak messages and the phone does the typing allowing you to text while driving, running or anyother activity where your hands aren't free. But unfortunately its more like the Siri younger brother who has a learning impediment – the vocal recognition is awful and just isn't as accomplished as Siri's unique ability to actually understand what you're saying. Instead Mango's attempt is more like an educated guess.
Mango finally brings multitasking to Windows Phones and on the whole has been implemented very well. All you have to do is hold the back button, and you can swipe between previewed windows, it's similar to iOS, but is actually implemented much better by combining the speed of the Android offering with the multitasking cards effect found in the the new defunct WebOS. It’s certainly one of the best you'll find on any phone.
Social intergration is one of the buzzwords that Microsoft has been singing the praises of for the Mango update. Instead of having separate apps for twitter, Facebook and the like – Mango populates the info purged from your social networks and then liberally displays the throughout the phone’s OS. So you see Facebook events in your calendar, photos from Facebook in your gallery and so on. "¨ We have to say this is one of our favourite Windows Phone features and expect Android and Apple to poach this feature very soon.
Those of you who like Internet Explore are going to be pleased with the latest IE on offer in Mango 7.5. It’s aims to run rings around Apple’s mobile Safari offering with greater support for new-fangled internet language HTML5. And from our first impressions they have succeeded. It’s renders pages incredibly quickly and efficiently and rarely gets the rendering wrong, even if it does come across the odd site not properly optimise for a mobile browser.
Our final verdict
Overall Mango is a no-brainer for anyone who is still running on 7. Multitasking is effortless, performance is as smooth as any other phone around, and with gestures like pinch to zoom feel incredibly intuitive making it a pleasure to use. It’s not a major revolution and if you’re not keen on the user interface Microsoft has settled on you’ll probably not choose it over Apple or Android. But, if you’re a big fans of Windows, use Microsoft Office and love the design of Xbox dashboard you’ll be right at home. What Mango represents is Microsoft's continued commitment to this operating system. If you're looking for a great value smartphone, you'll get a pleasant surprise as Windows Phone 7.5 is viable alternative to Apple and Android.
Windows Phone 7.5 Mango: Out now as a free upgrade to Windows Phone owners, and available on all new handsets.