Belfiore and Microsoft Romania confirm Windows Phone 'Mango' update, reveal new features
'Local Scout', 'Bing Vision' and Live Tile included in free upgrade.
Joe Belfiore, (deep breath) Microsoft's corporate vice president in Windows Phone program management, has released more information on the upcoming Microsoft's Windows Phone update, codenamed Mango.
Scout leaderAlong with I9 browser integration, the update will bring an all-encompassing, integrated 'Local Scout' feature, which will automatically locate and recommend restaurants, shops, and other points of interest based on your location.
Get it booked Also unveiled is the rather handy Bing Vision which allows users to scan purchasable objects and then finds them online. This feature integrates Kindle book downloads. Times New RomaniaAlongside these nuggets is a curious news update on Microsoft's Romanian website confirming a few other details.
The biggest of these is that Mango will be "freely available" for all existing Windows Phone handsets, and that it will be ready in time for when the nights come lurking back at the start of Autumn.
Meanwhile, developers can look forward to developing like the wind within 24 hours, when a Beta SDK of Windows Phone free tools will be available.
SMSNbook Social types will be able to communicate with others seamlessly between MSN Messenger, SMS, and Facebook chat using Microsoft's conversation threads.
Integrated and upgraded Contact group tiles will enable the sending of I.Ms or e-mails to groups.
There'll be more updates on Mango soon. In the meantime, enjoy the raven haired spectacle of Joe Belfiore.
