A podcast for Windows Phone 7 developers suggests the next upgrade will convert text messages to audio and the receiver’s spoken reply to text, allowing drivers to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Code-named Mango, Microsoft’s Phone 7 upgrade is also expected to feature voice-enabled turn-by-turn directions courtesy of Bing Maps, as well as new Bing audio and video services that dramatically expand the search capabilities for mobile handset users.
Microsoft intends to put its new Mango SDK into the hands of developers later this month, with the final platform release probably landing on Windows Phone 7 smartphones by autumn. “The Mango release is going to bring this platform to a competitive level with what is out there from Apple or Google, even allowing for its late ship date,” noted Al Hilwa, director of applications software development at IDC.
Rising To a Competitive Level
Some of the latest hints concerning what Mango will contain amount to little more than amplification and detail on what Microsoft announced earlier at MIX11, Hilwa observed. Among other things, Microsoft’s mobile-platform apparently will be getting Android-like features, including the turn-by-turn directions.
“Turn-by-turn directions are key for the consumer segment of the market, and so is all the work they are doing in strengthening the Bing part, bolstered now with assets from Nokia in terms of the mapping services,” Hilwa said.
The new Bing audio service for Mango will let handset users record a snippet of a song being played on a radio or other audio sources so Bing search can identify the track’s title and performer. Bing audio is expected to be similar to a popular free app called Shazam already available for Windows Phone 7 devices.
Still, there is ample room for third-party developers to continue creating apps that provide functions similar to those built into…
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