Windows Phone 7

Editor's note: This article evaluates pre-release software for the Windows Phone Mango update.

It was eight months ago that Microsoft launched its revamped mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7. Overall, the platform was well-received both by users and the tech press, as they lauded the fresh, bold, and easy-to-use interface; thoughtful integration of features; and improved performance. However, it also had its fair share of shortcomings and pitfalls.

This fall, Microsoft will release its first major update for Windows Phone, bringing more than 500 new features to the OS. Known up till now as Mango, the update will formally … Read more

As U.S. Cellular promised last week, the carrier is launching its first Windows Phone 7 device this summer (and by this summer, we mean tomorrow). The carrier announced today that the HTC 7 Pro will be available on June 14 for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Similar to the HTC Arrive for Sprint, the smartphone features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a tilting 3.6-inch, WVGA touch screen. The HTC 7 Pro also has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture, along with the Xbox Live and Zune integration and other goodies that come with Windows Phone.

The HTC 7 Pro will require a data plan, which starts at $79.99 per month for 5GB of data, unlimited text and multimedia messages, and 450 voice minutes. Customers on one of U.S. Cellular's Belief plans will be able to get the smartphone at the $200 price without having to sign a new contract. … Read more

Perhaps in response to Apple's little iCloud announcement yesterday, Microsoft posted new details about a couple of features coming to its cloud-based SkyDrive storage service with the Windows Phone Mango update.

This includes: The option to share photos stored on SkyDrive via e-mail, text, and IM and the ability to upload videos to the cloud. Previously, Microsoft revealed that the Mango update would also bring Office document storage and sharing. … Read more

Microsoft is now restricting the number of Windows Phone apps that it will approve from a single developer to 20 per day.

In a blog posted yesterday, Microsoft said the new restriction is aimed at cutting down on "bulk app publishing," a process through which developers can flood the Windows Phone Marketplace with hundreds of apps over the course of just a few days.

Though these apps may meet Microsoft's certification guidelines, the company is concerned that such apps can push other recently-published apps out of the "What's New" category, thereby degrading and "… Read more

HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou took the stage at Qualcomm's Uplinq conference in Sad Diego today to talk about Android and Windows Phone 7, but not before tooting HTC's own horn.

The Taiwanese phone-maker shipped 25 million smartphones in 2010, Chou said, and continues its growth in the opening quarter of 2011 with 9.7 million smartphones. On the strength of these numbers, HTC claims its spot as one of the top five smartphone brands worldwide, ranking No. 2 or 3 in some markets.

What's more, according to a Canalys report HTC is the top global supplier … Read more

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has once again stepped to the forefront to defend and define the Finnish cell phone manufacturer's decision to run Windows Phone 7 as its primary mobile platform.

The most recent in a series of appearances came today at Qualcomm's Uplinq conference in San Diego, Calif. There, Elop described why Nokia chose to avoid the Google Android bandwagon and sided with Microsoft instead.

Ecosystems are where the mobile battle is now, Elop said, instead of simply devices.

"Our strategic premise at Nokia is that there is an opportunity for a third and competitive ecosystem … Read more

Microsoft has shared more details about the upcoming refresh to the online Windows Phone Marketplace application store that the company first teased yesterday in a blog post to developers.

The screenshot below was internally labeled as a final version of the new design, which is scheduled to launch when Microsoft releases its Mango update this fall.

The new Windows Phone Marketplace features a sharper, darker interface, with greater use of black and a new section to spotlight select apps. In addition to browsing and searching the app catalog, a new feature will enable Marketplace shoppers to share favorites through e-mail, … Read more

NEW YORK--Earlier today, Microsoft previewed its upcoming Mango update for Windows Phone. Expected to roll out to devices in the fall, Mango brings more than 500 new features, making it the biggest update to the mobile operating system since it debuted in November 2010.

It's an impressive number, to be sure, but we're more concerned with quality than quantity, so needless to say we were very anxious to go hands-on with the Mango software.

Well, I finally got my opportunity today and let's just say I'm hopeful.

First off, Microsoft hasn't done much with the … Read more

In addition to today's Windows Phone 7 Mango software and hardware announcements pertaining to the phone is another tidbit aimed squarely at Web use. This fall's Mango update will also include a new version of the online Windows Phone Marketplace.

Similar to Google's Android Market and RIM's BlackBerry App World, the Mango edition of the online marketplace will sell and download games from the Web site to the Windows phone.

Details are sparse on the blog post where CNET discovered the news, though more news on the "Mango Marketplace" will be coming, assured Matt … Read more