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Windows Phone
How to update to Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) TODAY!
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 13:51 greg
The clever folk over at wpcentral have figured a way to force the Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) update to download. I just tried it and it appears to be working it's way through the update on my HTC 7 Pro right now!
The steps below are copied from the wpcentral thread here:
Steps to force a Mango update on phones for which Mango has started rolling out:
- Connect your Windows Phone to a PC and launch the Zune software
- Click on Phone > Settings > Update. Allow the software to tell you whether an update is available. If so, skip this guide. If not continue to the next step.
- Time to force the update. Click another button (any of the options above or below the word Update). Then click the Update button again, and this time disconnect your computer from the internet after 1-2 seconds. Do this by pulling out the Ethernet cable, disabling Wi-Fi, etc. If it says your phone is already up to date, you didn't disconnect quickly enough and need to try this step again.
- Wait 30 seconds or so and Zune should display a notification that an update is available. This is 7392, the first Mango pre-update.
- Now reconnect to the internet and continue with the update process through the Zune software.
- After 7392 is fully installed, you may receive a notification that another update is available. If so, install it now. If not, proceed to the next step.
- If the second update isn't popping up on its own, repeat steps 3-5, causing the 7403 update to appear.
- Install 7403, brave reader. Speeding right along, isn't it? ;)
- Mango time! At this point, Zune should automatically start installing the last update, 7720, aka Mango. If it doesn't happen automatically, force it like we did in previous steps.
- This last step is very important! Celebrate your phone’s new found Mango status by purchasing a mango smoothie at your nearest Smoothie King, Jamba Juice, Baskin Robbins, or similar establishment.
Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update starts in a controlled fashion
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 08:41 greg
Microsoft stated on their blog that the Mango rollout has started yesterday. Steering away from the marketing spin that 98% of Windows Phone users are getting this rollout, what is acually happening is a sensible controlled rollout. Microsoft clarified exactly how the roll out will ramp up:
"This week, we’ll be making the update available to 10 percent of customers. If everything looks good, we’ll open up the spigot a bit more—to around 25 percent. We’ll hold there for one or two weeks, then quickly ramp up to 100 percent—monitoring quality the entire way. That’s how we ensure Mango arrives both quickly and in tip-top shape."
I am keen to see the improvements in Mango and this video has whetted my appetite even more!
Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) in the next week or two
Thursday, 22 September 2011 17:00 greg
Microsoft just posted and tweeted that the Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) update will be released " in the next week or two". Some further details below. This will be my first Windows Phone upgrade and after the smooth OTA updates that I got when running WebOS I will be interestedin seeing how this pans out, does it remember the apps I had installed and auto downloade them post upgrade?
"During the official Windows Phone 7.5 update process, every Windows Phone will also receive software from the handset manufacturer. This matched and paired firmware has been painstakingly tuned so your phone—and apps—work with all the new features of Windows Phone 7.5. Since your phone requires the proper firmware to function as designed, my advice is simple: steer clear of bootleg updates and homebrew tools.
By the way, in case you missed it, we recently released new versions of both the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac and the Zune software for PCs, which you’ll need to update your phone"
First impressions of Windows Phone
Friday, 26 August 2011 10:32 greg
Given the recent announcements regarding WebOS I finally decided to get a Windows Phone device. I wanted one with a QWERTY keyboard so settled on a HTC 7 Pro, which I have now had for less than 24 hours, but so far my impresisons are favourable.
The interface seems nice and snappy, the one screen notifications of new email seperated by Exchange and Gmail, and SMS messages works very well. I really like the fact I have an on screen keyboard as well as the slide out one for quick messages that don't need a full keyboard.
So far I miss the gestures from my WebOS devices and simple things like tapping the wifi icon or battery icon do nothing in Windows Phone, but I have managed to find all the important apps that I use in the marketplace.
I am now looking forward to the Mango update and some better multi-tasking.
Last Updated (Friday, 26 August 2011 11:03)
Windows Phone "Mango" (preview release)
Wednesday, 22 June 2011 16:29 greg
The lucky folk over at WPCentral have been putting the beta of the next version of Windows Phone through it's paces and they like what they see! Some noticeable snippets from their review:
"Mango" is a little more zippy on launching apps as well as closing them--it's a small change, but one you will certainly notice when using it everyday
Multitasking in "Mango" is certainly interesting. While it's not the full-blown system that Android uses, "Mango's" is a little more refined
Does IE9 live up to the hype with its hardware acceleration? In short, yes it does. Scoring 95/100 on the Acid3 Test and rendering pages more quickly than any other browser we've seen, IE9 is the real deal
In our opinion, 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.
Microsoft to Lift the Curtain on Next Major Release of Windows Phone
Monday, 23 May 2011 20:40 greg
With Windows Phone still seen as a new player in the market, Microsoft are holding a press conference tomorrow to discuss their next major release of Windows Phone. I do think Windows Phone is a bit of a dark horse in the mobile phone race. The power that Nokia brings in terms of market presence and units that can be shipped is huge, and from the devices I have seen the OS seems to have some really good points. I don't have a device I can directly compare to WebOS, iOS or Android.
If you follow this link on Tuesday May 24th at 10am Eastern you will be able to watch the event live.
Microsoft brings productivity enhancements to Windows Phone
Monday, 16 May 2011 21:33 greg
Microsoft has announced that the next update to Windows Phone, code named Mango, will have a series of productivity enhancements including:
- Pinnable email folders: Pin a folder to the start screen for quick access. This could be an email folder for a specific project, from a specific group or person (like your boss), or an RSS feed you’ve set up in Outlook.
- Conversation view in email: Emails in your inbox are organized by conversation, bringing replies to a thread into a consolidated view so it’s faster and easier to stay on top of the conversation.
- Server search: Search your email server (e.g. Exchange Server) for older emails no longer stored on your phone, giving you ready access to all of your mail.
- Lync: Lync Mobile brings the Lync experience to Windows Phone customers by delivering Unified Communications capabilities, including instant messaging and the ability to see the presence of your co-workers. The Lync app will be a free download from Windows Phone Marketplace and will be enabled with support from your business organization.
Bank of America app released
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 16:27 greg
Bank of America customers: the company’s much-anticipated new mobile banking app arrived in Marketplace earlier today. Check balances, transfer money, pay bills, and locate ATMs—directly from your Windows Phone (U.S. only).
