[July 22, 2011] Microsoft connects with smartphone Tweet (Flare (Pakistan) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Microsoft is making a major push to outgun Apple and Android in the smartphone market, launching an operating system that departs from the traditional desktop screen with a slew of icons. The Windows Phone 7 is made up of a series of “hubs,” which alleviate the need for lots of different applications. Instead of clicking on an icon, users view information on the home screen, organized through a series of “live tiles” that contain up-to-date information on friends, phone calls and tasks. All the major wireless carriers and dozens overseas now offer phones running the Windows Phone 7 platform, such as the HTC Trophy on Verizon, Microsoft plans to push out a major software update for phones already in use, called “Mango,” that will have over 500 new features. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]