Windows Phone 7 platform has yet to gain traction, but this does mean that Microsoft is not pulling its weight to improve the
software. The company is expected to roll out its Mango update later this year, but it has already started working on the next installments of updates. Following the tradition set up by Google, Microsoft is also choosing very snazzy names for its updates. Apparently, Mango will be followed by updates called "Tango" and "Apollo". We will review the updates as and when these are rolled out, but we give our approval to their code names.
Microsoft is collaborating with Acer and Nokia for building the handsets for the platform. The equipment will be manufactured by Compal Communications. While the Mango update is now available for developers, the users will get to taste it in fall. The update includes new features such as multitasking, web browser update and HTML 5 support. The update will also augment the tile UI on the home screen.
Among other things, Mango will also let you customize your ringtone. For other mobile operating system, you need to use third party software for getting a personalized ringtone. So basically, you capture a sound byte and the update will provide you the option of saving it as a ringtone. Pretty neat, eh! You can also use your Zune music library for this purpose. Windows Phone 7 currently commands 3.6 percent market share of the smartphone market worldwide, which is about 10 percent of Android's market share of 36 percent. Let's just hope that things start looking up for WP7 once Nokia comes out with its dedicated handsets.