Windows Phone 'Mango'- a worthy competitor to iOS and Android?

Microsoft finally took the wraps off impending software update for its Windows Phones, codenamed ‘Mango’. It has been unveiled with a hope of changing the fortune of company’s smartphones.



Mango undoubtedly is a significant revamp of Microsoft’s mobile platform, which is losing its ground to fast growing Google’s Andorid and Apple’s iOS. Microsoft in its Windows Phone ‘Mango’ update has promised to add new features for consumers and the enterprise. The software giant has announced that the update includes incredible 500 new developer tools and features for its operating system. It has also been claimed that Mango blurs the line between apps and internet search.



The update will also include Internet Explorer 9 as the mobile browser, automated Facebook check-ins, access to more than 17,000 downloadable apps as well as Twitter and LinkedIn feeds integrated into contact cards.



But, can it push Microsoft's challenge to Google Android and the iPhone?



Windows Phone merges Web content and applications into a set of subject-specific Hubs, including "Office" and "People."



Recent data has revealed that the Microsoft’s share in overall smartphone market is steadily eroding. Mango update hopefully will minimize the gap between smartphone leaders Google Inc. and Apple Inc.



Even if the pre-Mango Windows Phone witnesses a dive in market-share, the software giant has managed to secure some lasting commitments from its manufacturing partners.



Reportedly, HTC is committed to the Windows Phone products. And everyone is aware of great grand Nokia-Microsoft deal, according to which, Nokia will integrate Windows software in its future smartphones.



Samsung and LG Electronics too have apparently agreed to build new Windows Phone devices preloaded with Mango. Moreover, Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE are also toying with the idea of producing Windows Phone devices for the first time.



So basically, Windows Phone is not dying anytime soon, at least not for the couple of months.



But the question is whether a Mango updated Windows Phone can pull attention of users who are unconditionally in love with Apple or have never thought of Microsoft.



Mango is trying to crack the enterprise market by adding some key features and for consumers it will integrate revamped Xbox Live. But, despite of all those features, it still won’t be able to beat iOS and Android as apps available for download are far too less than what one can find in Apple and Google.



Though, Microsoft is approaching developers to build apps for Windows Phone but will it be on par with Android or iOS, only time will tell.