WPCentral Review: Windows Phone "Mango" (preview release)
To say "Mango" for Windows Telephone 7 is a large update is a fleck of an understatement. Information technology's massive. Although nosotros have had two updates to our fledgling Bone, both have been relatively pocket-sized. "Mango", however, is Microsoft's attempt to fill in all the gaps left from the v1.0 release final fall. Can it succeed?
We've been able to handle a preview release of "Mango" for the last few days and have put information technology through various tests, comparisons and the all of import "just using it like a normal telephone". Our device was the venerable Samsung Focus running Windows Phone 7.661.WP7_5_Trial (mojobld).20110607-1957, which means this is a relatively late build (June 7th) and as y'all tin run across, Microsoft seems to exist going with "7.v" for this release.
How did it fair? What did nosotros learn? Lets merely say you won't exist disappointed and yeah, information technology'due south basically everything Microsoft has been touting it to be since Feb--no smoke and mirrors here. And so hitting on by the break for our easily on review, four videos, photos and more. Then y'all tin hit usa up in comments and we'll try our best to answer.
"It'southward the little things that matter"
"Mango" of course brings "intelligent multitasking" and Internet Explorer 9 to the table--no small characteristic prepare. Simply before we get to those, lets talk about all of those "small-scale things" that Microsoft has done, because it'due south those that go to show the level of intendance in detail that Microsoft is giving to the OS.
"Mango" is certainly fast. While it's not as big a heave equally "NoDo" back in February, Microsoft has continued to shave off a one-half-2nd here, a one-half-second there. "Mango" is a little more zippy on launching apps likewise as closing them--it'south a small modify, only one you will certainly find when using it everyday. We loaded up 'Benchmark' (Free) by Schulte Software in the Marketplace and let it run through it's avalanche of tests on both Samsung Focuses. Neither device has an SD card on board, just both practice have apps installed. We're a bit surprised by the results, just later 21 passes, the Focus with Mango performed much faster than the NoDo version. Is that luck or the improvements to Mango? After 21 runs, we think it'south Mango, simply nosotros're willing to consider other opinions (upon a 2nd set of 21 tests, NoDo improved slightly, merely was still below Mango):
The tiles too are easier to move around and dispense--while not a absurd new feature, information technology shows Microsoft is paying attention to the small annoyances that we've had since launch e.g. getting tiles "stuck" almost the top of the screen when shifting them.
The Zune buttons both in the player and toast notification are are larger, making it easier to modify tracks or play/pause. Likewise, the volume meter is gone, replaced instead by a larger, more "Metro" numeric system. Going to programs, y'all may have seen the new "jump list", similar to contacts, that permit you to notice your apps more easily by tapping the first letter. What's interesting is that jump listing won't appear till the magic number of 45--meaning you have to have at to the lowest degree 45 items (including native apps) in programs before y'all become the jump list. The threshold seems appropriate because less than that and scrolling is short enough to eyeball your listings. Smart.
Other fiddling things include the Battery Saver options, which disable all background services (east.m. automatic electronic mail fetching) and apps that run in the background. You can of form still use those features, just manually. Battery saver kicks in at about 20% bombardment life and you'll run across a little eye-icon over the battery to let you know. Of course it is completely optional too, in fact you can enable information technology without hitting the xx% threshold.
Another piddling changes include the shutdown screen. Similar to the lock-screen in design and role, when you concord the power-push to shut off the phone, a screen slides down now giving you one extra-step to power downward. We suppose it's a skillful "safety" part to prevent accidently power offs as well every bit giving the procedure a little flair.
Oh and did nosotros mention Wallpaper? While not listed under the Pictures Hub, in Settings nether the Lock Screen section at that place is a "Wallpaper" push that volition take you to the Picture Hub and also a wallpaper gallery built in with (currently) 28 sleek wallpapers, including solid-colors that match Themes. Prissy bear upon.
Intelligent Multitasking
Multitasking in "Mango" is certainly interesting. While it'due south not the full-blown organisation that Android uses, "Mango's" is a piddling more refined. When in an app, if you hit the Win key to go back to the starting time scree, you've basically added the program to the multi-task window--a card like arrangement similar to WebOS. Nonetheless, if you striking the back-arrow instead, that essentially "exits" the app and it won't go to the multitasking window, giving users a bit of control over how the organisation handles. For limits, information technology appears that yous can have six apps in memory at a time, which while not a huge number, it should be more than than enough for your most used functions. There is no performance "hit" with the number of apps that are frozen--in fact, you would never discover the organization unless someone showed it to y'all (agree down the back arrow).
Information technology'south not clear still if apps need to be coded for this feature using the new SDK, merely we did notice some odd behavior.[Update: Indeed, you need to recompile your app with the 7.1 SDK to get "fast resume" to work, which is why this feature does not work with current apps. Thanks, Arif, for the info!] Native apps due east.g. email appeared instantly, correct where they left off, simply third-party apps had to refresh themselves i.e. pull-data before yous could use them once again. This included Xbox LIVE games, like "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Doodle Jump" and "Hydro Thunder Get!", which would take to re-offset their level if y'all exited out of the app and hopped back in using the cards, somewhat defeating the purpose of multitasking. Other games though, like "Pinball League The Juggler", "Orb", would pause the game, assuasive you to continue when yous resumed.
IE9--the hardware browser
Does IE9 live up to the hype with its hardware acceleration? In curt, yes it does. Scoring 95/100 on the Acid3 Exam and rendering pages more quickly than any other browser we've seen, IE9 is the real deal. As we mention in the video, some folks lament the idea of a dual-core (CPU) Windows Phone saying nosotros don't need the power, but if IE9 can take ane of those cores, we could meet some serious mobile browsing in the future.
But what nearly now with our single core devices? It still loads web pages extremely fast, is compliant with most standards (HTML5, CSS3, SVG, DOM, XHTML) and is simply a pleasance to utilize (peculiarly over WiFi we bandwidth is less of a concern). Third party browser add together-ons like SurfCube still work likewise, meaning nothing seems to have been cleaved by the update.
We had no crashes either and nosotros're told it has "Protected Mode for browsing prophylactic and Hang Protection for browsing reliability", ensuring a consistent experience. The shifting effectually of the address bar to the bottom works well and information technology's cracking to encounter it in landscape too. Past reducing "chrome" yous essentially have a full-screen browser on the device now, making information technology visually more than enjoyable with little distraction. Finally, in the release-version of "Mango" you'll be able to straight Tweet or share via Facebook any page yous're on inside the browser--a nice addition.
Bing gets overhauled
Bing was always a piffling anemic in Windows Phone vii and NoDo--sure it was there, worked well, but we were missing a lot of the cooler things that the Bing team was working on. Finally, in "Mango", we become a more than bull Bing-experience.
Outset, the hardware key for Bing aka the magnifying glass, universally takes you to Bing Search. Non even in the Market will it search there (they added a soft-search button for that). It'due south a bit of an odd change, in fact developers were hoping that Microsoft would relax the control on that search central so that devs could use information technology for in-app searches, but alas Microsoft has gone the other way, taking it completely for Bing. Quick Cards are besides a new, unified way of presenting information that is searched for someday you use Bing--movies, books, CDs, etc. all presented with "About", "Reviews" and "Prices" (if applicable). Information technology's a nice affect and makes Bing very fast since, once again, there is no "chome" aka UI frippery.
Second, Bing Images is there, thankfully. Any search you do will also bring up some pictures which is pretty sweet. The downside? You can't do annihilation with the pics--can't share, tin't download, can't use as wallpaper, just stare at them. At to the lowest degree there are enough of "image search" apps out there to fill in that gap, just we hope Bing Images gets an update before release.
Local Spotter is certainly 1 of the highlights of "Mango". While information technology can exist extremely useful for travel, it's just as useful for your hometown. Permit the states explain. When you get-go launch it, it of class uses geo-location to pinpoint your location. From at that place, you have four sections: "Eat + Potable", "Meet + Do", "Shop" and "Highlights". "Swallow + Drink" and "Shops" are pretty basic--they show you lot what places are around you lot, assuasive to tap for more than information including hours, accost and reviews. But "See + Do" and "Highlights" are dynamic, meaning they change regularly. Specifically, "Run into + Do" volition evidence you things that are going on today around you--events, concerts, live performances, fairs, y'all proper noun it. Information technology'south a style to discover things to practice instantly and with no effort. Very impressive and one of our favorite new things.
Bing Music is however existence developed but it certainly works. Similar Shazam, Bing Music will identify ambient music around you, then search for it in the Zune Market place, allowing you to stream, purchase or download (if you have a Zune Pass). Information technology worked well plenty for mainstream music, was a piddling rougher on more obscure things, just seeing as it is all the same in development, nosotros look large improvements by launch. Either way, it'south dandy to have such a function native to the phone.
Finally, Bing Vision is the other big deal. By actively using the camera, yous tin can scan barcodes (United states of america only), QR (many regions), Microsoft Tag (many regions), commercial media (CDs, DVS, Books, Posters and Magazines--but may be limited to US only) and finally even interpret text into/from English language, French, Italian, High german and Castilian. Information technology'southward the Swiss Army Knife of photographic camera scanners and it works very well. We used it regularly to attempt and scan all sorts of items and had a high per centum of success--in fact it was adequately enjoyable to use. Once an item is identified, a results screen comes up with information, reviews and prices (if applicative) from various merchants. In theory, if the merchant is someone like say Amazon.com, it should launch into the Amazon app (or so we believed) but that feature does non notwithstanding seem complete in this build.
Games Hub
The Games Hub, where all things Xbox LIVE are located, received some updates as well, though no major new features. Some of the changes include having your avatar completely animated from within the app, instead of using Xbox Live Extras. That's considering XNA and Silverlight can live within the same app now. Some aesthetic changes include making it all white, using smaller icons in a listing, adding friends/messaging tiles and "Spotlight" where y'all can get the latest Xbox news. While these changes are pocket-size, it unifies the look and feel of the Games Hub with the Xbox Live branding and system. Adding those tiles and refining the look goes to prove yous how deep and careful Microsoft is because appearance here and we corroborate.
And yes, game requests are there for what we presume will be multiplayer (asynchronous) game play in the time to come. Finally, Xbox Live Extras is relegated to the task of avatar customization via the Market place. It's still an optional download and only in that location if you desire to change your features, style or buy new items in the Marketplace. It works well enough and is quite zippy.
Zune Player
Of class the Zune Player gets some overnice additions as well, specifically Smart DJ which will permit y'all to basically create a Pandora-like streaming experience: you lot choice your favorite ring or song, select Smart DJ and from their the Zune system volition create a dynamic playlist based off of that style. It's been on the Zune HD player for awhile so squeamish to see it brought to WP7.
Other little changes include moving of the play/pause, forward/back buttons to the top of the screen and making them larger. This is now 100% consequent through they system. In addition, yous have your Favorite push ("heart"), repeat and random buttons all accessible on the player screen.
While podcasts accept been supported via the Zune Desktop, you can now exercise it over-the-air via the Zune Actor/Marketplace. You can download a single episode or subscribe (and manage) any podcast, and video is supported as well. Of class there's a catch: you can't download any podcasts (audio or video) over 3G merely have to exist on WiFi, similar to how downloading big Xbox Alive games works now.
The other cool thing is now third party streaming apps like Concluding.fm and Slacker can accept advantage of background tasks, assuasive for streaming in the background while using the Zune Actor controls--a very nice addition.
Oh and 'Marquee' has thankfully exist re-named to the much more than specific 'Apps' for 3rd party app integration. Some other modest changes include modifications to the UI e.g. 'History' now scrolls only downward instead of overlapping to the right.
Hands-complimentary Messaging and Oral communication
Yes, the Microsoft TellMe speech system is still in effect in Mango and has received some nice upgrades. First and foremost, you can at present say "Text
Calling options are now expanded too. You can now say "Telephone call John, on mobile using speakerphone" and become exactly that--a perfect setup for in car driving. You lot can also use the voice communication command while on a telephone call, using "Call" to call some other person or "printing" to press a number.
Facebook, Twitter, Threads and Groups
No doubt "Mango" steps up with social networking and keeping in contact with friends and family. If you're a Facebook fiend, yous'll appreciate how "native" it is now in Windows Phone 7.five--specifically from your "Me" hub y'all tin can check-in via Facebook (and Windows Alive), postal service a bulletin and set conversation condition. You tin also finally receive notifications via Facebook and Windows Alive right within the OS--and so forget that Facebook app. In addition, native chat for Windows Live and Facebook is here, making this all but a Facebook phone (though currently, the feature is not available in this preview build). Finally, Facebook Events can be added directly to the Windows Phone agenda and include the ability to run across the description, attendees and decline/accept from within said calendar--very squeamish.
Twitter is almost hither. We know information technology volition exist in the last version and Microsoft has talked about it. Unfortunately, we do meet "Twitter" under "Add an business relationship" just information technology's listed as "Coming soon!" for now. Notwithstanding, we can see that it will require you lot to connect your Twitter account via Windows Live, not a stand alone. Microsoft did, nonetheless, provide us with a screen shot to go an idea of what it looks like and we can say it will feature: Tweet, reTweet, comment, replay with @ mention, share web pages (via IE9) and share photos via the Photograph Hub.
Threads, to refresh, is the ability to combine text messaging, Facebook and Windows Alive Messaging all in one place. The idea is that y'all can seamlessly continue a conversation with some regardless of medium. This is done by linking the person to all the diverse accounts nether the People Hub and then the Os "knows" to combine everything together. Seeing as we were unable to test Facebook Conversation, we'll take to leave a more in-depth review later. Needless to say, the theory is at to the lowest degree sound and should make a much more sane feel in today's multi-client earth.
Nosotros should also mention "face recognition" is here too. From your photos in your Picture Hub to online pics (SkyDrive, Facebook), a trivial square will appear over a face, which and so allows you to "tag" them. This goes fifty-fifty deeper with Facebook since they're starting to automatically place and tag faces, which is a petty creepy. All the same, for those of you lot who tag your friends in photos for uploading, this should exist a keen feature.
Finally, Groups is something we've seen earlier: it's the power to create clusters of contacts e.g. family, friends, co-workers and so have all of their data under one hub, including "status updates, photo updates, check-ins, missed calls, new SMS, email, IM, or voicemail". From their you can even create a Live Tile for that Group and the in a higher place information will dynamically change as information rolls in. It'southward truly a new and different fashion to go on up socially with your friends and family unit. What'due south not bad too is the system will recommend a Family unit Group based on the concluding names in your People Hub.
Loose Ends: Email, Maps and Marketplace
Last but not least are the changes in email, maps and the Marketplace. While significant, they're a little less exciting then some of the previously mentioned changes.
Email showtime and foremost now has threaded message. That is easily 1 of the best changes notwithstanding and it works pretty well, although it does take some getting used to, specifically the way the headers work is a bit different (it's an extra line of information) and the ordering is the opposite of Gmail with the newest bulletin showtime and previous emails below. That actually makes sense when you think about it, but some of usa have been "trained" by Gmail to take information technology in a descending order so at first glance things seem a bit off. As well at that place are significant changes to Outlook support, including:
- Read IRM emails
- Alpha-numeric Pin
- Set Out of Part letters
- Search electronic mail server for messages
- View & sync multiple Calendars on an business relationship
- Sync To-Do list
And so there is the ability to create a unified email box (numerous accounts linked together as a Live Tile--very user-friendly) and the new function of creating a Live Tile from a sub-folder. That last part is existent useful. For case, nosotros take a WPCentral sub-binder in our Gmail account. Normally we have to open electronic mail, choose Folders and and so select the folder we want to run into new messages. At present, nosotros can create a Tile that goes right to it on the Start screen. Moreover, yous'll now get notifications for that sub-folder. In essence, you lot've created a whole new in-box and in theory, y'all can do this unlimited times. Withal, in doing this change, Microsoft did move the Folder button to the list and in turn, the Sync option gets its own button. Some may find that a scrap jarring at start merely it seems to make sense in a traditional email fashion.
Maps finally gets plow-by-plough driving directions. While not as full-featured as some 3rd party offerings, it is free and works well plenty. Also, you lot tin now have the maps "Rotate with my current direction" or "Always orient n", something nosotros retrieve volition do good from the addition of a hardware gyroscope.
Last just non least, the Marketplace gets a nice make over. Earlier, when you lot chose an app in the Marketplace, it's data was all on ane screen. Now there are 4 that flow nicely with Metro. Those four screens are 'details', 'reviews', 'screenshots' and 'related', with the latter smartly giving a list of like apps (it'south really really authentic). Since each area now has it'south ain section, detail is neat, the screenshots are laid out in a improve fashion (smaller, tiled) and reviews are easier to read. Plus, y'all can now see an app's rating earlier yous click on it, assuasive y'all to pass over those ane or 2 star apps. The other corking feature is the power to become suggestions every bit y'all type in the Marketplace, speeding up the process of getting that app.
Conclusion
Whew! Did you really read all of that and watch those videos? Than congratulations, yous know equally much about "Mango" every bit nosotros do now. So what did we learn?
In our stance, Microsoft has so far done a fantastic job with "Mango", delivering many new features, fixing complaints from users and expanding the usage of our smartphones way beyond what "NoDo" has given us. What makes "Mango" so interesting is nothing feels tacked on. It'southward not like Microsoft saw what the contest was doing and decided "we can do that as well!", resulting in an OS that has features haphazardly slapped together, but nothing to unify them. The changes in Windows Phone 7.five, on the other hand, feel like an extension of a vision, of a philosophy of how our mobile phones should work. While Apple has simplicity down (simply one button!) equally their guiding force, Android seems to accept a "throw the kitchen sink in there besides" mindset, resulting in a more chaotic, inharmonious experience.
It's nearly odd to see such an arroyo from Microsoft, who's more oft been associated with pragmatism not elegance. Only "Mango" aptly demonstrates that Windows Phone 7 was non only a one-hit design, only rather the get-go of a whole new ecosystem (which we're now seeing extending to Xbox and the PC).
The most odd matter virtually "Mango" is the lack of a "killer feature". That'due south not a put down either. What we hateful is there are so many new things on board, that at that place tin't be an agreed upon single "wow" feature. Instead, the user is allowed to pick and choose what they feel is the best. For myself? The performance improvements, IE9 and Bing are all astonishing, with IE9 being ground-breaking. For others though, the tight social-network integration or Office improvements could be their killer characteristic. In short, at that place'southward something for everyone in this update.
Is information technology all rosy? Perhaps not, there's still some "Microsoft control" over the OS is however present, the permanent "tool bar" above the keyboard takes away precious real-estate, the inability to download podcasts over 3G seems over-protective, etc. Just these come off as more nits than full on criticism. With so many fixes, new features or expansions of old ones, it seems a fleck difficult to levy serious criticism. For existence a "preview release" the Bone is substantially stable, with merely the rarest of hangups and demonstrates how far along in development Microsoft is with "Mango", making that fall borderline extremely plausible (and hey, it works on the Focus already--heck, Sammy fifty-fifty gave u.s. a new firmware update this weekend).
But in that location's some other one-half to this "Mango" equation: developers. A lot of things in this update won't smooth until devs first cranking out new or updated apps that leverage all the new APIs, gyroscopes, augmented reality tools, new Live Tile system, address book access, socket support, multi-tasking, etc. When that happens, we an really exist prepared to be wowed.
Microsoft has added frosting to last twelvemonth's block, now it's up to devs to add the candles. In curt, Mango is succulent.
Mango Image courtesy of: VanSoaked (DeviantArt)
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/wpcentral-review-windows-phone-mango-preview-release
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