Microsoft unveils Windows Phone “Mango” improvements for developers

By Tom Warren, on 13th Apr 11 5:17 pm with 13 Comments

Microsoft unveiled a range of new features on Wednesday for its next release of Windows Phone.

Speaking at the MIX11 developers conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft revealed that it’s planning a beta release of a new set of developer tools that will help developers create Windows Phone apps that are even faster, more capable, and better integrated with Windows Phone. The new tools will be available in May for Windows Phone developers. Microsoft also detailed its plans for “Mango”. Microsoft’s next Windows Phone release will include:

  • Application multitasking for background processing, audio and file transfer, and fast application switching
  • Deeper phone integration so apps can, for example, take better advantage of the versatility of Live Tiles
  • Access to the camera and Motion Sensor library so developers can build apps that incorporate device hardware and build augmented reality experiences

Microsoft’s MIX11 keynote is ongoing but the company plans to unveil Skype, Spotify, Layar, Qantas, Amazon Shopping and Kik Messenger applications.

Microsoft is also planning to include the following developer enhancements for “Mango”:

  • Live Agents create superior customer engagement with real-time interactions 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.
  • Phone integration has been greatly improved for developers wanting to do more with their apps. The Live Tiles functionality has been expanded to give developers more flexibility and engage with their customers better.
  • Developers will have access to the Motion Sensor library and the camera, enabling augmented reality experiences. The integration extends deeper into the operating system via sockets and database access now available to apps and games.

Microsoft is also planning to expand on developer opportunities for Windows Phone. The company will expand its Marketplace to 35 countries, up from 16 with the first version of Windows Phone. “We’re doubling the number of countries that support creation and commerce, and we’re creating parity to the countries that only supported creation before and didn’t have the ability to sell their apps,” Brandon Watson said. “From an opportunity standpoint, that’s huge.”

  • zizo-88

    Kik messanger means phone address access yaaaaaay… Loving all the other features :D

  • zizo-88

    Kik messanger means phone address access yaaaaaay… Loving all the other features :D

  • Frylockns86

    Mango update “this fall” – Mango update “Next year (Maybe)” Fixed that for you, Microsoft.

  • Frylockns86

    Mango update “this fall” – Mango update “Next year (Maybe)” Fixed that for you, Microsoft.

    • M_Lyons10

      Wow, you do really troll any WP7 article that gets published…

      Your reputation precedes you my friend… :P

    • Frylockns86

      It was meant as a joke, actually….

  • Anonymous

    Sounds like Mango is B A N A N A S

    can’t wait!

  • Xevilxfrosteex

    It doesn’t matter how cool my phone is, when I’m describing all the awesome things it does, as opposed to any other Mobile OS…then it rings one of it stupid ringtones I look dumb, the phone looks useless. Now if I were describing the phone and say “Forfeit” by Chevelle starts playing as my ringtone…bam phone is instantly the coolest phone available. Ringtones do matter…this is a stupid problem to have.

    • Smbrancati

      Looks like Mango will bring custom ringtones.

    • M_Lyons10

      Really? Cool. That should shut some people up…

    • Anonymous

      Customer ringtones matter THAT much? Geez….If you hate the stock ringtones that much, just put your phone on vibrate!

  • GP007

    Tom

    Do you have a list of the new countries that will get access to the marketplace with Mango? They said it’ll go up from 16 to 35 but I’d like a list or something.

  • bonkers69

    Yes ringtones matter that much.If the eye candy and XBOX live games W7 comes with matters to others that much why can’t ringtones matter that much to others.For as much as I pay for my service a month,I should get what I want.Updates this,new features that.I still have the same phone I bought since W7 came out ,with nothing new and no updates for me.Let us know when you really mean it.