Posted: 04/13/2011 09:13:28 PM PDT
Microsoft unveiled a new version of its Windows Phone software that will let users run several programs at once and call up information about a place or item by looking at it through the handset's camera.
The company demonstrated the software at a developer conference Wednesday, laying the groundwork for the operating system to appear on phones later this year. Tools that let programmers create applications for the new software will be available in May, Microsoft said at the Las Vegas event. Microsoft, which overhauled its Windows phone software last year, is counting on new features to regain market share lost to Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and Google's (GOOG) Android. The company also aims to entice more developers. At Wednesday's event, Microsoft demonstrated concept apps from companies such as Amazon.com, Skype Technologies and Spotify.
The new software, code-named "Mango," takes advantage of a technology called augmented reality. That means users can point the phone's camera at something and get additional information on screen. For example, they could scan a landmark and get details on the building and surrounding area.
The Amazon application lets customers scan barcodes to find products online. Microsoft also previewed an app that showed whether audience members viewed through the camera had sent certain messages on Twitter. Besides gaining access to the camera data, the new software will let developers use compasses and gyroscopes if the phone has them.
Many of the new features are similar to ones already available for Android and Apple's iOS, said Al Hilwa, an analyst at Framingham, Mass.-based research firm IDC. Still, the approach to multitasking may give Microsoft an edge, he said. The software is designed to download content in the background while other apps are running, making for a smoother experience.
Source:
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_17840416?source=rss&nclick_check=1
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