US bloggers publish their thoughts on Mango preview build (Compilation)

US bloggers have been playing for a few days with the Mango build  7.661.WP7_5_Trial (mojobld).20110607-1957 running on their Samsung Focus. Most of the features discussed here have made it through to the near final preview build with exception of twitter integration. Since we don't live in US, we were unable to get our hands on the build, bummer. But we have posted a few links to sites below that got their hands on mango preview build. NDA was lifted a few hours back, so bloggers have finally published their thoughts on Mango preview build. Below is the compilation of their views/reviews. Read more after the break.

Paul Thurrot's Hands On with the Mango build :

Mango will be provided as a free update to all existing Windows Phone handsets, so there's some value in that. It very nicely improves the capabilities of the platform while utilizing the same basic user experience, so it will be a seamless and painless upgrade from a usage perspective. And while Mango doesn't address some of the shortcomings from v1, it adds so many useful new features, and fixes so many of the early complaints, that I'm finding it hard to criticize this release with any enthusiasm. I'll keep using it and report back when we get closer to the final release. But Mango looks great so far, and I've really only scratched the surface here.

WPCentral 's Daniel Rubino reviews Mango preview build:

Is it all rosy? Perhaps not, there's still some "Microsoft control" over the OS is still present, the permanent "tool bar" above the keyboard takes away precious real-estate, the inability to download podcasts over 3G seems over-protective, etc. But these come off as more nits than full on criticism. With so many fixes, new features or expansions of old ones, it seems a bit difficult to levy serious criticism. For being a "preview release" the OS is substantially stable, with only the rarest of hangups and demonstrates how far along in development Microsoft is with "Mango", making that fall deadline extremely plausible. Microsoft has added frosting to last year's cake, now it's up to devs to add the candles. In short, Mango is delicious.

Gizmodo's Matt Buchanan falls in love with Mango preview build :

It feels alive. Everything bounces. Everything swoops. Everything flips. Every single action is lushly animated. It just doesn't sweat the details—blood was spilled. The lock screen isn't a simple shade. It has a sense of weight and gravity; the further up you drag it before you let go, the faster it slams back down (if you don't completely unlock it). It's almost like the phone is happy to be alive. Which kind of makes you feel happy to use it. No other phone is like that.

The Next Web's Alex Wilhelm on Mango:

WP7 is a different approach to the smartphone than the one taken by iOS and Android, and Mango is the first full iteration of the WP7 aesthetic. If it does well, Microsoft will have struck a nerve. If not, it’s mobile future is over.

This is my Next's Chris Ziegler details the mango update :

Without question, Mango thoroughly addresses a few pain points that Windows Phone 7 users are experiencing today — none bigger than multitasking — but we’re going to need to wait until developers kick into high gear before we’re going to be able to see just how well Microsoft’s architecture works in practice

Winrumor's Tom Warren on Mango preview build:

Microsoft’s next-generation Windows Phone operating system is slick, full of features and addresses the needs of consumers and businesses every step of the way. Microsoft has listened to its early critics and has started to respond in a big way. Mango includes over 500 features and it’s the attention to detail and settings options that make Mango a blessing for Windows Phone users.

Pocketnow's Adam Z. Levin thoroughly reviews the Mango build, ultimate indeed:

Many of these new features are mainly bringing Windows Phone up to speed with the competition, yet there are a number that are quite innovative and sure to make Windows Phone stand out above the crowd. 

ZDNet's Mathew Miller has a detailed review as well:

Mango is what most people wanted to see from Windows Phone 7 when it was launched late last year and the 7.5 label is accurate. As a fan of Windows Phone I am excited about the update as it addresses nearly all of the issues I have with Windows Phone 7 and it is a pleasure to use.

If you got your hands on with the preview build as well, ping us on @wpsauce or post in comments below so we can add you in the list. For all our Mango coverage, click here.
I agree with bloggers mentioned above, Microsoft's job here is done for the moment. It's time for developers to step up and give us applications that truly utilize this amazing OS. Developers, you are on the spotlight now. Time to shine! 

By Rahul Mathur