Microsoft phone software update offers easier communication

Microsoft Corp today launched an update of its Windows phone software that would add new features aimed at helping it close the gap on smart phone leaders Google Inc and Apple Inc.

According to Microsoft, the update offers 500 new features, including Internet Explorer 9 as the mobile browser. Also included are Twitter and LinkedIn feeds integrated into contact cards, automated Facebook check-ins, and access to more than 17,000 downloadable applications.

The software giant is betting big on the new version of its phone software to deliver a solid start to its recent alliance with Nokia. Nokia will start to ship Windows based phone late this year or early in 2012.

Analysts say the two would need to do much work to cover the lead, which Google's Android, currently running on 36 per cent of smartphones, enjoys. Apple comes next with 17 per cent market share, according to research firm Gartner.

Last quarter, Microsoft held only 4 per cent of the smart phone operating system market, but is looking to leverage the 27 per cent market share held by Nokia's Symbian, which the Windows system would replace in most of Nokia's new phones.

Meanwhile, the "Mango" release would be available for free to Windows Phone 7 customers and is scheduled to be incorporated on new phones beginning this fall.