WhatsApp and WindowsPhone 7.5 "Mango"

The private beta for WhatsApp has been up in the Windows Marketplace for a few days now. The WP community over at Wpcentral have even got a first look preview video of WhatsApp uploaded on youtube. Do check out the original article here.

WhatsApp first look by WPcentral

 

As you might have already noticed, I am an avid fan of Microsoft products and have been a Windows Phone 7 user since its launch back in late 2010. With Windows Phone 7 approaching its first birthday, Microsoft is going to launch the much anticipated Mango update, aka Windows Phone 7.5 to the masses.

Despite being in an ecosystem already saturated with mobile operating systems such as iOS, Android, Symbian and more. Windows Phone 7′s Marketplace currently owns the crown of being the fastest growing app store, even beating the Android Market.

"According to the latest statistics provided by Windows Phone App List, the app store took 312 days to reach the milestone, taking around the same time as Apple’s iTunes App Store and 7 months faster than Google’s Android Market."                                       Source: ITProPortal

However, although Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 has seen stellar growth in the apps catalogue department. There has always been something missing from it, and that missing app…is WhatsApp. Sure, WP7 might already have kik messenger, IM+, even the built in fb/msn chat for those already on Mango. But non can compare to the popularity of WhatsApp, a cross platform messenger application that has been missing from Windows Phone 7….until now(Almost!)

Unfortunately WhatsApp will require existing Windows Phone devices to be updated to the Mango update/ aka Windows Phone 7. Hopefully WhatsApp will be launched officially when the forthcoming Mango update arrives! Watch out for Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango" coming this fall.

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Still waiting for Mango !

Cheers

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Jasper Phua Kai Wen
Games Entertainment Tech
C260
Temasek Polytechnic