Today, Microsoft announced its plans for delivering the Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” beta to developers. You may recall that last year, the company had to ship prototype phones to developers because the platform was new. This year, developers have phones or have easy access to them in the marketplace. So the plan is a bit different…
We’re still working out some final kinks in the distribution and support infrastructure for delivering Mango to all of our registered developers around the world, but are inviting the most eager developers to come get Mango today, for their retail devices, as part of our early access program! We expect the full distribution infrastructure to be fully operational in the next couple of weeks. For now, consider yourself a beta tester for the distribution process. Registered developers will get invites to the Microsoft Connect site, which will give them access to Mango. This build of Mango should also be viewed as beta quality, so there are still consumer features missing, but you can now start building apps and testing them against retail devices.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Download the Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta 2 – You will need to update your developer tools to update your phone and to deploy your apps, so run…get them now.
- Read the instructions before updating – These are very important steps which you need to follow to the letter. We’re committed to supporting our developer community with such an early access program, so if you have questions, start with the forums, which we are monitoring.
As you can see, Microsoft above also announced the Beta 2 release of its Mango developer tools, which includes the Windows Phone OS 7.1 (yes, 7.1, not 7.5; don’t ask) and updated versions of Visual Studio 2010 for Windows Phone, the Windows Phone “Mango” emulator, and so on. However, that link still points to the May Beta 1 release. So maybe we need to wait for the site to be updated.
Update: Here’s the correct link to the Beta 2 tools. I corrected the link above too. Thanks everyone.
This link works
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=26648
I’m not getting my hopes up any time soon about getting any kind of update. I own two Samsung Focus’, and still have not received the latest security update, 2 or 3 months after it was initially deployed. What are the chances that I will get a major upgrade if I can’t even get a minor patch?
When I went to the link from the WP7 Dev Blog, it took me to the beta 2 tools. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=26648
This is one of those rare times that I wish Windows Phone 7 had a custom ROM scene so this could leak out and those of us that like to take risks can run it. Oh well, I guess fall isn’t too far away.
Paul, are you going to do some type of review for the Mango update process if you can? Also is this a newer build or the same one the media got weeks ago?
Only when the RTM version hits for general users. Not for this developer release.
So is everyone that’s registered as a developer getting this? The link itself and this one makes it sound like that’s the case. http://create.msdn.com/en-US/news/Mango_Beta If so I’m more than willing to drop $99 for it. I was going to sign up for a developer account at some point anyway.
This pretty much answers my question. https://twitter.com/#!/BrandonWatson/status/86091869116825600
got my invite from the redmonds and downloading as I type. can’t wait to get home to try mango. I found it funny that they make you agree 3 times to making a backup of your device. this is important guys!
Does every registered dev get access? Might be worth the $99 fee for people who just can’t wait.
Yes. But it’s unclear if this is for just existing developers. It may be.
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