Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 Mango

Microsoft will launch its Windows Phone 7 (WP7) update called Mango at 6pm UTC this evening.

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The update process will begin tonight and will be a gradual process that will reach all Windows Phone 7 customers by the end of October.

Microsoft is banking on Windows Phone 7.5 to jumpstart Windows Phone 7 adoption. Mango features updated social networking integration with Twitter and Linkedin added, as well as a new feature that lets you scan and translate text using the camera.

It has Internet Explorer 9 for a faster web browser and uses Microsoft's Bing Search engine. There is also a feature called Local Scout to help users find local restaurants and attractions.

Microsoft said at a press briefing this morning that it had added ZTE, Fujitsu and Acer to its manufacturing partners. HTC and Samsung already support the WP7 software, and Nokia has an 'exclusive' deal with Microsoft.

The WP7 upgrade comes as Microsoft updated its Windows Phone app store, Windows Marketplace, allowing users to download apps directly from a Windows Phone 7 device using the Zune software.

Microsoft's Windows Marketplace is divided between applications and games, with each country getting its own specific store.

MCPD for Windows Phone Developers

Microsoft has announced the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer Certification (MCPD) for Windows Phone Developers which helps to validate the candidate’s knowledge and skills on designing and developing Applications for the Windows Phone Platform.

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To earn the MCPD for Windows Phone, the candidate should pass the below three required exams

70-506 : TS: Silverlight 4, Development
70-516: TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework
70-599: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Phone Applications

Here is few important points to be noted about the MCPD – Windows Phone as per the Microsoft Certification site

The candidates / Developers can take up the exams at any time starting from mid July 2011 and earn the MCPD – Windows Phone Developer Certification by passing the required exams but the certification might not be visible on your transcript until September 2011.
Note that candidates who earn the MCPD: Windows Phone Developer certification will be required to show continuing ability to perform in this technology area by completing a recertification exam every two years.