Can you taste that? That's the taste of Mango getting close. Microsoft announced today on its official Windows Phone Blog that the Windows Phone Mango update has been released to manufacturing (RTM), meaning that different manufacturers and carriers will now get the Mango code and have the chance to optimize it for their specific phones and networks. Now Microsoft will begin on the update process for current WP7 handsets, which the company expects to be ready this fall.

This news may not have much of an effect on owners of Windows Phone devices right now, but it's a good sign that work on Mango is coming along smoothly. We may still be a month or two out from Mango actually making its way into the hands of consumers, but the good news is that we've got some ways for you to help pass the time! May I suggest checking out some of the various features packed into the Mango update or Sydney's new article on why she decided to make the jump from Android to Windows Phone 7?

Via PhoneScoop, Windows Phone Blog