14 DAY TRIAL // Windows Phone Mango, the next version of Microsoft's mobile operating system, is expected to become available for developers as soon as this week, reports emerged.
Apparently, the Redmond-based software giant plans on making the beta flavor of the OS available for all developers who registered in the App Hub for coming up with applications for the platform.
The new platform should be pushed out in the very near future, it seems. Some even suggest that it might be released in about 24 hours or so.
All registered regular developers should receive the Mango ROMs to flash their existing Windows Phone-based mobile phones.
We're referring here to the unlocked handsets that developers received or had the chance to purchase starting with the summer of 2010.
At the same time, the company promised the availability of new devices for developers, also for free, with the new Windows Phone Mango platform flavor loaded on them right from the start.
These handsets will offer access to next-generation hardware that Mango was announced to come with support for, including gyroscope and more.
The release of these beta bits follows their availability for reviewers. The embargo was lifted today, various articles presenting the new platform already popped up into the wild.
Windows Phone Mango should bring forth a wide range of new features, which would allow it gain some more market share on the smartphone segment.
Over 500 new features should be included into the mix, Microsoft announced recently, ranging from UI enhancements to new applications, better services, and more.
The mobile operating system is expected to arrive in users' hands as soon as this fall, on devices coming from various handset vendors around the world.
Windows Phone Mango will be preloaded on mobile phones coming from Nokia as well, the first time that the Finnish vendor and Microsoft sign such a partnership.