Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is going to formally give the market a taste of its "Mango" software update to its Windows Phone 7 platform at an event in New York City May 24.
The company sent out a media invitation to a "VIP Preview" event, and although the invitation does not say the word "Mango," it uses mango-colored background and advises that the company will "lift the curtain on the next major release of Windows Phone."
Microsoft execs began touting the update at the Mobile World Congress trade show in February, and discussed features such as adding Internet Explorer 9, powered by the same engine as the desktop version, as well as multitasking for third-party applications. At the company's MIX event in April, Microsoft touted more features, including expanded Office document support.
On Monday, Microsoft hinted it will add Bing Vision, which enables search via the phone's camera, as well as Bing Audio, a music search service that appears similar in many respects to Shazam. Microsoft also hinted that the Mango update will add spoken, turn-by-turn directions to Bing Maps.
The Mango update is expected to be released in late summer or early fall, and will be on all new Windows Phones by year-end. The timing suggests that Nokia's (NYSE:NOK) first Windows Phone devices will ship standard with the update.
For more:
- see this ZDNet article
- see this PC Magazine article
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