Microsoft vows app multitasking with Windows Phone 7 'Mango' update

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) previewed the next iteration of its Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system at its annual MIX event, promising developers a significant overhaul including enhanced multitasking capabilities, expanded Office document support and a hardware-accelerated version of Internet Explorer 9. Codenamed "Mango," the WP7 upgrade will ship sometime later this year, with developer tools slated to roll out next month--writing on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, Windows Phone and Marketplace GM Matt Bencke explains that the update will enable programmers to build apps and gaming scenarios incorporating elements like the mobile web, messaging and Augmented Reality.

Mango highlights include Live Agents, which enable real-time user interaction via Live Tiles, Push Notifications, Deep Linking and Background Agents. "Multitasking is also enhanced to allow for fast applications switching, as well as background audio and file transfer," Bencke notes. Mango also touts improved phone integration and grants developers access to the Motion Sensor library and the device camera. New developer tools include a revamped profiler and emulator for testing, support for Silverlight and XNA within the same project, structured storage enabling access to the SQL database and access to calendar and contacts via apps.

Bencke additionally promises Microsoft will improve its Windows Phone Marketplace app storefront, introducing a dedicated games store and expanding sales to 35 new international markets. The Mango launch also will coincide with enhanced Marketplace discovery tools and new merchandising opportunities, as well as expanded billing options.

As for the status of a long-planned Windows Phone 7 update bringing features like copy-and-paste, Microsoft apologized for continued delays, with Windows Phone Program corporate VP Joe Belfiore stating the company ran into device functionality problems. "We felt it would be better to be a little bit patient, make sure that when we get updates out that they would happen reliably, and unfortunately that caused a delay in getting things out," Belfiore said during his MIX keynote, according to Reuters. He added that he is "optimistic" that similar problems will not plague future updates.

A chart posted on the Microsoft website indicates the company is currently delivering the belated update to Dell Venue Pro and HTC HD7 devices in the U.S., with tests still ongoing across the HTC Surround, LG Quantum and Samsung Focus.

For more:
- read this Windows Phone Developer Blog entry

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