Check out a few of our favorite bits from around the web this week. Have a great weekend!
Mango goes RTM
In case you missed it, the Windows Phone engineering team officially signed off on the “release to manufacturing” (RTM) build of Mango earlier this week. Here’s what you didn’t see in the blog announcement from Terry Myerson, engineer-in-chief for Windows Phone (standing center, in striped shirt): a behind-the-scenes peek at the official Mango sign-off meeting.
To me, these sign-off meetings are the most interesting and exciting moments of the entire software development process. Even as a grizzled former tech journalist, the chance to witness one for a major Microsoft product still gives me a little thrill. They have the atmosphere of Mission Control at a Shuttle launch. It’s standing room only, and the hallways are packed with people (like me) trying to listen in (ok, and maybe trying to snag a free glass of champagne). During sign off, Terry’s lead engineers go around the room and give an official go/no go for their various feature areas. There’s always a swirl of emotions in the room: nervous tension, excited anticipation, relief.
In this case, of course, everything was a go. The room erupted and, well, you get the picture. Mango is one step closer to your hands.
Meet the world’s first Mango phone
Speaking of Mango, Fujitsu Toshiba just unveiled the IS12T, the world’s first Mango device and Japan’s first Windows Phone. The phone sports a 3.7” WVGA screen, 32GB of storage, and a 13.2 MP camera. Plus, it’s waterproof and comes in 3 colors. The phone is slated to be released in “September or beyond”. Here’s Engadget’s write up. In a separate event, Microsoft this week also showcased a bunch of great Japanese apps, which you can learn more about in English or Japanese.
Switching to Windows Phone
Sydney Myers, Lifestyle Editor at PhoneDog.com, wrote an interesting piece on why she recently switched to Windows Phone. She’s enjoying the experience so far, mentioning how she’s enamored with the “simple, elegant, and minimalistic” feel of the Metro UI and loves how it “carries all the way into the apps.” We truly appreciate her compliments and are glad to welcome a new member of the Windows Phone family.
Will Dilbert love Windows Phone?
Speaking of switchers, recently Microsoft’s Brandon Watson made a bet with web celebrities who’ve become dissatisfied with their current phone. The wager? If any of the celebs try Windows Phone 7 and don’t like it, Brandon will donate $1000 to a charity of their choice. Scott Adams, creator of the much loved Dilbert comic, and CNET reporter Molly Wood have accepted the bet. We can’t wait to see what happens next! Who is your money on?
And finally…
“There’s a new fruit in town.” That’s the catchy tagline for what we think is easily the most creative student project we’ve seen all week (ever?). Izzy Grant created a commercial that shows how Mango comes in handy in her everyday life. The project also underscores another point: We really have great fans. Know of any other fun grassroots Windows Phone projects? Share them below in the comments section. Watch the Vimeo video