Skype, Multitasking coming to Windows Phone Mango. New tools waiting delivery of Unicorn Tears.

Finally a search button for the reams of apps in this list

Today Microsoft showcased the next iteration of their Windows Phone OS – Mango Update.

Notable things (from press release and tweets from @bperry, quoting Joe Belfiore)

• Skype, Spotify, Layar are coming to Windows Phone
• Multitasking with faster app switching (ala S^3 stylie – known before. Nice to reiterate)
• 13,000 apps. Hmm ok. Should pick up quite quickly when Nokia releases their first WP phone.
• Apparently BT file transfer will be available
• Search button in App/menu view. Thank goodness. Whilst it makes it slightly easy that everything is all there in one list (no digging/hunting through folders – which are great but takes time to remember where things are) is a pain sometimes to scroll, scroll, flick, scroll. :S
• 1500 new APIs for Windows Phone developers (via @bperry)
• Direct streaming from wp7 camera (via @bperry)
• will allow for mixing XNA and Silverlight for graphics (via @bperry)
• 25-30% improvements of memory usage for apps (via @bperry)
• new dev tools for mango app development to be available next month (via @bperry)
• Angry Birds to be available on 25 May in marketplace for #WP7 devices
• Andre noted the quote “We are waiting on the delivery of unicorn tears to get the tools out to you”

This might be a useful link – live blogged: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/microsoftpri0//

Engadget caught a Nokia stand (there’ @bperry) at the Microsoft event and thought it to be a wonderful opportunity to poke fun again with a “caption contest” titled post. That homescreen look is kinda making me cringe though. I think it’s more the theme itself. Who’s that standing next to Bill.

Press Release:

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/apr11/04-13MIX2PR.mspx

Microsoft Corp. executives today showcased the next version of the Windows Phone operating system and other powerful next-generation applications that span phones, PCs and other devices. Building on Tuesday’s keynote, Microsoft demonstrated the value of developing for HTML5 and the standards-based Web with Internet Explorer 9 on PCs running Windows and Internet Explorer 9 on Windows Phone. With the forthcoming release of Windows Phone, coming later this year, Microsoft is providing developers with more hardware capabilities, better browsing and improved tooling, as well as expanded opportunities and Windows Phone Marketplace options. Together, these technologies create a richer application environment that expands mobile usage scenarios.

“The next release of Windows Phone represents the evolution of our strategy for ensuring that developers are at the forefront of ‘what’s next’ by investing in even richer customer experiences, a powerful application platform and a thriving ecosystem,” said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Windows Phone Program Management. “We will soon deliver a new set of Windows Phone Developer Tools that will enable developers to create a new generation of apps that are even faster, more capable and better integrated with Windows Phone.”

New Opportunities and Capabilities for Windows Phone

Today, Microsoft provided the first deep look at the development platform for the next version of Windows Phone, arriving on new and existing handsets later this year. Developers will soon have updated Windows Phone Developer Tools. Improved tools include a performance profiler and sensor simulation, enabling developers to build more integrated and high-performing applications. The new application platform enables developers to take advantage of the following:

• * Application multitasking for background processing, audio and file transfer, and fast application switching
• * Deeper phone integration so apps can, for example, take better advantage of the versatility of Live Tiles
• * Access to the camera and Motion Sensor library so developers can build apps that incorporate device hardware and build augmented reality experiences

 

Developers will be able to take advantage of these new capabilities to create even more creative and engaging Windows Phone apps and games.

The free Windows Phone Developer Tools for the new Windows Phone OS will be available to developers in May. With 38,000 registered developers, more than 13,000 available apps and 1.5 million downloads of the original Windows Phone Developer Tools, developers are the foundation of the fast-growing Windows Phone ecosystem.

Today, Microsoft also provided an early glimpse of app concepts for the next version of Windows Phone OS with new experiences from Skype, Spotify, Layar, Qantas, Amazon Shopping and Kik Messenger.

“Windows Phone is an incredibly fun and easy platform for developers to work with, and Kik was thrilled to have the chance to create a concept with the phone’s next-generation developer tools,” said Ted Livingston, CEO, Kik Messenger. “In only two weeks, we had an amazing new app that looks and feels like an extension of the phone itself, creating a customer experience like nothing we’ve seen before.”
“Microsoft’s support for Kinect beyond the Xbox platform will increase opportunities for developers to explore new ideas and deliver innovative Kinect applications and experiences. A richer Kinect for Windows API will enable the creativity of these development communities to really come to life,” said Robert Tuttle, chief architect, frog design.

 

Microsoft Silverlight 5 Beta Delivered

 

Microsoft also announced the immediate availability of the beta for Microsoft Silverlight 5, which provides advances in rich media and application development. New capabilities include Hardware Video Decode, for enhanced video quality and performance, and “Trickplay,” which provides variable-rate video playback with audio pitch correction. The Microsoft Silverlight 5 beta also offers a new Microsoft XNA-based interface for delivering stunning 3-D visualizations within applications, along with a host of new features that are designed to enhance developer productivity and end-user experiences. More information and a download of the beta are available at http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight.

At MIX, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstrated a dynamic new site that uses HTML5 to make the site’s core content engaging and wide-reaching while using Silverlight for streaming a never-before-seen, HD video experience from inside the cockpit and a high-performance, interactive, 3-D representation of a Blue Angels aircraft.

“The Blue Angels are excited to launch a new, state-of-the-art website that will allow us to more effectively accomplish our mission of enhancing Navy recruiting and credibly representing Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the United States and its Armed Forces,” said Lt. Katie Kelly, U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

microsoft via Nokia Ecosystem

Cheers Alan and Zane for the tip!

Category: Nokia, Windows Phone