14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just confirmed that the next update after Windows Phone Mango will be called Tango.
However, those who thought that Windows Phone Tango will bring lots of new features will be disappointed as Microsoft clearly stated that the Tango will target only low-end smartphones and will be in fact just a minor update.
The information was confirmed during a recent MSDN Seminar in Hong Kong, called “The Next Generation in Development.”
According to Microsoft, Windows Phone Tango will precede Windows Phone Apollo, also known as Windows 8 and will target low-end handsets in developing countries:
“1. Tango is not a major update. 2. Tango is one of the updates belonging to Mango. 3. Apollo would be the next major update. 4. Tango is mainly for developing countries including China and India. These countries were neglected before and Microsoft would like to provide more Bing Services to them through Tango. 5. OEM would be selling cheaper Tango devices in these developing countries.”
There is no information regarding the 'low-end handsets' that Microsoft is referring to when explaining about the Windows Phone Tango minor update, but we can assume that several manufacturers are already planning to produce some of these smartphones.
It appears that Microsoft neglected the emerging smartphones market, but is now trying to boost its market share in several countries by launching affordable devices and software updates to further polish the Windows Phone platform.
Once Windows Phone Tango will be rolled out next year in selected countries, users will be able to take advantage of Bing services, which will apparently not be available with Mango.
According to the latest hearsay, the first low-end WP7 smartphones will be launched by Chinese handset manufacturer ZTE.
The handset maker has recently signed a contract with Microsoft to release several Tango devices next year, but the information has yet to be confirmed.