Windows Phone Mango is now publicly available, if you hadn’t heard already. In conjunction with this simultaneous worldwide release, Microsoft has given the Windows Phone website a massive makeover and added a few new features. Specifically, Marketplace and My Phone.
The new Windows Phone Web Marketplace perfectly complements the Windows Phone device and Zune software client, allowing customers to access the Marketplace at any time from wherever they are. It includes all the usual features you’d expect from the Windows Phone Marketplace–categories, ratings and reviews, ways to sort apps, featured apps, and more–as well as a few you wouldn’t. Downloading apps is a snap. The Web Marketplace simply sends a notification to your phone, starting the download immediately. There’s also the option to email the phone a link to the app.
My Phone has been moved from Windows Live over to the Windows Phone website, where it belongs. Users can, as before, view their device information, last-known location, and SkyDrive camera roll. There’s also quick links to Xbox LIVE features, Office documents, contacts, calendar, and the email inbox (Hotmail only). Best of all, you can see a list of all the apps you’ve ever downloaded and quickly reinstall them on your phone.
There’s also a link to a new feature: Bing Scrapbook. This neat app aggregates all of your Windows Phone check-ins into a single location, allowing you to see where you’ve been. It’s almost like a scrapbook of your travels. There’s also the option to delete all check-ins from Microsoft’s servers, if you’re privacy-conscious.
The new Windows Phone website is an excellent update. Those looking for quick access to the site can also pin it to their Windows 7 taskbar using Internet Explorer 9.
