Microsoft have announced an upgrade to their mobile platform. Windows Phone 7.5, also known as Mango will feature turn by turn direction with voice instructions, barcode scanning and voice to text speech input.
Available in the Autumn 2011 the platform will bring features suitable for those working in the sharp end of distribution operations. Discussed at Microsoft’s recent MIX ’11 conference in Las Vegas, functionality will include:
- Image scanner to read barcodes that will also include optical character recognition (OCR) for reading text such as books and CDs. This will enable driver proof of delivery or proof of collection for example
- Driving directions including voice turn by turn directions enabling GPS satellite navigation delivery routes to be given
- SMS dictation for drivers to speak into the phone and have speech converted to text, enabling for example delivery or collection confirmation
- Windows Live Messenger integration enabling for example delivery address and instruction information to be communicated
- Compatible Internet Explorer 9 compatible browser enabling customer address confirmation searches on the go for example
We await more details of the release.