Windows Phone Tango Screenshots Leaked

Microsoft’s next version of its Windows Phone platform is called Windows Phone Tango, and now some screenshots of the new mobile operating system have been leaked, revealing some information on what is coming in Windows Phone Tango. The details were revealed by the guys from WP7forum (Russian), and Windows Phone Tango will come with the ability to export your contacts to your SIM cars, as well as the ability to manage domestic and international roaming.

Other new features include the ability to add multiple attachments in a single MMS, with the ability to also add in videos to MMS, and it looks like there will also be a native voice recording application for MMS. Details have been revealed on the new hardware requirements for Windows Phone Tango, which will allow for lower specifications, allowing Microsoft to offer cheaper devices like the Nokia Lumia 610 we heard about yesterday. Some of the new specifications may include support for less RAM, it looks like 256MB and above, plus also support for lower resolution cameras, with a 3 megapixel camera being the lowest resolution supported.

Microsoft is rumored to be unveiling Windows Phone Tango later this month at Mobile World Congress 2012, which takes place in Barcelona on the 27th of February, we should have some more information on the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile OS around that time.

Nokia Windows Phones For 2012, Tango Rumors, AT&T HTC Titan Release & More - Windows Phone View:

Windows Phone is Microsoft's response to the Apple iPhone, exec tells NY Times

In an interview with the New York Times, the head of software design for the Windows Phone OS at Microsoft admitted that it was the "sea change" in the industry created by the Apple iPhone that led the software giant to redesign its mobile operating system. During the interview, Joe Belfiore said that after Apple came to market doing things that were "unique and highly appealing to consumers," Microsoft felt it had to respond with something that was competitive, but not exactly the same thing. Thus, Windows Phone was born.

According to the NY Times, when the Apple iPhone became a hot item, Microsoft executives realized that its software at the time, Windows Mobile, could not compete. In December 2008, a meeting was called by the head of mobile engineering for Windows and the decision was made to toss Windows Mobile and start from the ground up with something new.

In designing a new mobile OS, Microsoft made a decision to balance Apple's highly controlled system and the open source Android system. To eliminate the fragmentation that many have criticized Android for, Microsoft set strict specifications for handset makers who wanted to manufacture Windows Phone models. Early versions of the software had to be revised to get the thumbs up from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

The Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia 900

The Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia 900
The downside to starting over was that it gave Android time to pick up marketshare. In the the third quarter of 2010, Android held 25% of the global smartphone market with iOS at 16.6%. Windows Mobile barely registered with 2.7% of the market. After Windows Phone's first year, Android increased its share to 52.5% with 15% belonging to iOS. Microsoft held just a 1.5% share of the global market by the third quarter of 2011.

Microsoft executives knew that entering market late would present special challenges and the hope for the Redmond crew is that with the coming wave of Windows Phone powered Nokia smartphones coming to American soil, things will start to improve for Windows Phone. But even U.S. carriers don't expect a miracle. AT&T executives are still cautious even though the carrier is combining with Nokia and Microsoft on a $100 million ad campaign to push the flagship Nokia Lumia 900, a model that will be displayed at CES this coming week.

Windows Phone Tango devices might follow the Nokia Lumia 900 closely, be announced at MWC

We know the next minor Windows Phone update is to be called Tango, bringing in different screen resolutions and chassis support. In fact, the launch is supposed to usher Windows Phone into the era of entry-level handsets for teens or emerging markets.

In fact, rumor has it that the Tango update is going to follow hot on the heels of the Nokia Lumia 900, after it has had the pleasure to be graced with a $200 million joint marketing campaign by Nokia, Microsoft and carriers.

The alleged release is scheduled for Q2, meaning that we will probably see the announcement of a few Tango-laden handsets at the MWC 2012 expo in Barcelona February. The only thing missing from the picture will be a true high-end with 1080p video recording and HD screen, for which we will probably have to wait the Apollo update in the second half of the year.

ODMs like Compal, to which Nokia outsourced the production of the first two Lumia handsets, are a bit worried that the influx of cheaper Tango handsets will lessen their current healthy ASPs, but we doubt Nokia and Microsoft are too worried about that. Both are apparently stressing on the Nokia Lumia 900 timely appearance, as Nokia took its production in-house, leaving nothing to chance.