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Windows Phone 7 update spotlights communications, search

In addition to apps, here are two more categories of changes we'll see coming to Windows phones this fall when the next update, code-named Mango, is released.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Integrated messaging in Windows Phone 7
Integrated messaging in Windows Phone 7's forthcoming Mango update. Microsoft/All Things D

Windows Phone 7 is getting a fair amount of work done. In addition to a more integrated outlook on apps, the Windows Phone update coming this fall (code-named Mango), will feature improvements in communications and better Web browsing, with search.

Communications
On the communications front, the Mango update will see a multi-network chat feature that gets conversations going among Facebook Chat, Windows Live Messenger, and text messages within the same thread. Windows Phone 7 will also natively support Twitter, which will appear within a contact record. In addition, there will be a new group messaging feature for text and e-mail. Microsoft will also adopt the unified e-mail inbox, for viewing all accounts in a central location.

Search
CNET got to take an early look at Bing Vision, a new search feature in the Bing mobile browser, but that isn't the only change planned for the Mango update.

The new Bing search app will bring new visual, audio, and voice search functionality. There's Local Scout, which searches by locations and happenings in your current whereabouts, and support for voice-to-text and text-to-voice dictation options for hands-free texting and chatting.

Internet Explorer 9 is also onboard as the next-generation browser. Although it includes support for HTML5 and the phone's hardware acceleration, it apparently doesn't play nice with Silverlight or Flash.

Stay tuned for much more from our live coverage of Microsoft's Mango launch event.

(Via All Things D, Engadget, Microsoft)

Article updated at 7:40 am PT with more details.

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