Microsoft has launched its new Windows Phone operating system (OS) - codenamed 'Mango' - in India. The new OS has the rich and dynamic user interface - 'Metro' - of Live Tiles and Hubs that enables users to quickly find, connect and consume the content that they care about the most.
In this OS, the conventional application icons have been replaced by Live Tiles on the Windows Phone start screen, thus boldly displaying important information at a glance. The Live Tiles come to life with real-time updates from the Web such as news, appointments or friends' status. New Live Tiles can be easily created for applications, websites and music.
The 'People Hub' allows users to collate and keep their contact details in one place - ranging from SIM card to Outlook, LinkedIn to Facebook to Twitter. Besides, the 'What's New' feature in the 'People Hub' lets users see what others are posting, and also lets them comment in real-time. In additiion, the 'Group' tile, which lets users organise friends, appears on the start screen, thereby making it easy for users to text or email and IM (instant messaging) people easily, with a single tap.
Moreover, the company has integrated the mobile version of its latest Web browser Internet Explorer i.e. IE9, into the new Windows Phone OS to offer users the same browsing expereience they have on a PC.
It also offers multitasking, thereby enabling users to easily switch between different apps in use. According to Bhaskar Pramanik, chairman, Microsoft India, "Analysts expect this operating system to be the number two operating system by 2015." The new OS also lets users access to Windows Live SkyDrive through their smartphones, allowing them to store data on the cloud. However, the company has set the data storage limit for every user at a generous 25GB. Other interesting features include voice to text, pictures hub, vision search, threads and one button access to Bing search engine.
When asked about their plans to partner with low-cost handset manufacturers in India such as Micromax, Spice and others, Prmanik said, "We are open to everyone, but on the other hand we are very particual related to hardware specifications. And, we can not compromise with these specifications to partner with manufacturers." On their plans to come up with low-cost Mango handsets, he said, "Our priority is and will always be customer experience, because this is what helps a company increases its sales, not the price." If the customer experience is bad, even the low-price cannot convince users to opt for the one. Thus, we cannot compromise on the user experience, he added.
What is missing is the direct access to the camera right from the lock screen as in the iPhone 4S. This feature is also expected in the forthcoming Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
When asked Pramanik about Nokia's plans to come out with handsets engineered with Windows Phone OS, he declined to comment. Nokia, which has lost its smartphone crown and is fast losing market share is said to be banking on Windows Phone OS for its revival, but the company is yet to arrive with a Windows Phone device.
HTC and Acer also unveiled handsets running Windows phone 'Mango' OS - HTC Radar and Acer Allegro, during the Windows Phone OS launch at New Delhi. HTC Radar costs Rs 25,490, while Acer has not yet disclosed Allegro's pricing. In the brief experience that I had with both the phones HTC Radar's touch seemed to be more responsive than Acer's Allegro.
source : IBN LIVE
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