
Windows Phone Mango
Microsoft has finalized Windows Phone Mango according to reports.
The software giant has reportedly marked build 7710 as the final gold build of Mango. The release to manufacturing (RTM) marks the end of development for Windows Phone Mango which is now undergoing carrier testing. Windows Phone Dev Podcast revealed the details of Microsoft’s finalization of Windows Phone Mango in an episode published on Thursday. One podcaster said revealed that Microsoft’s red Windows Phone theme is the official theme colour for Mango. “As we talked about last week, Mango did RTM and it is being sent out to carriers and OEMs to start testing so let the timer begin,” said the podcast. Microsoft is expected to make devices available as soon as August.
A Fujitsu branded Windows Phone will be made available in Japan by the end of August according to recent reports. The device will launch with carrier KDDI. A number of new Windows Phone Mango devices were demonstrated by Microsoft at its Worldwide Partner Conference earlier this month. Microsoft demonstrated a waterproof Fujitsu handset and new ZTE and Acer devices. The software maker also revealed a new Samsung Windows Phone that appears to resemble the company’s Galaxy S II Android model. Windows Phone Mango is expected to include front facing camera support. Microsoft has not yet officially detailed the hardware specifications for Mango devices but a HTC device leaked recently. The device appears to confirm front facing cam support for 7.5. The HTC Eternity is a 4.7″ WVGA Super LCD device with a 1.5GHz CPU, 8PM camera (with autofocus and dual LED flash) and front-facing 1.3MP camera. The Eternity includes 16GB of storage, DLNA support and SRS surround sound speakers. Beta 2 versions of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Mango developer tools include references to front-facing cam support. A new icon appears to be very similar to the rumored “chatter” application that Microsoft may be planning for Windows 8. Details of “chatter” leaked to the internet last month after references to “Chatter” were discovered in early leaked builds of Windows 8. It’s believed that Chatter is a video calling service that will be integrated directly into Windows 8.
Nokia will launch its first Windows Phone devices using the new Mango platform. Nokia has previously revealed that it plans to launch its first Windows Phones in six European countries. Nokia plans to launch first in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and the Netherlands. Nokia’s Windows Phone devices are currently labeled with “W” (for Windows). Nokia is also rumored to be launching a dual-core N8 variant with a 12MP camera, QWERTY touchscreen candy bar phone and a cheaper touchscreen device with less expensive body.
Update: Microsoft has clarified that Windows Phone Mango has not released to manufacturing. “For those following the rumor mill, @windowsphone Mango has not yet hit RTM. We’re excited about the progress… stay tuned,” said a tweet from Microsoft’s Director of Communications at Microsoft for the Windows Phone Division, Bill Cox. One Windows Phone 7 worker also confirmed that build 7710 is “an old build” in a separate tweet on Friday.