Every smartphone platform is a work in progress. Arguably just as much hype surrounds the release of a firmware update as the launch of any new hardware.

The roll out of the second major update to Windows Phone – dubbed Mango - or Windows Phone 7.5 if you bend to Microsoft's will – came just as Apple was gearing up to launch iOS 5 and Google prepared to unveil Ice Cream Sandwich.

As a result, comparisons between the three packages becomes inevitable.

Just which packs in the best features will vary from one consumer to the next, of course, but for developers, the differences between each OS can be more fundamental, enhancing or even impinging on the way their titles operate.

We caught up with CodeGlue CEO Peter de Jong for his take on how Mango stacks against the competition.

Pocket Gamer: Mango updates Windows Phone's Xbox Live hub and Marketplace. Do you think this will make any difference to a game's visibility?

Peter de Jong: I think the new Windows Phone's Xbox Live hub has improved a great deal, but I don't think it will make a big difference to a game's visibility. That is, unless your game gets featured of course. That is a great spot to be in!

What really is still missing in my opinion is great ways to search the Marketplace – e.g. sort games based on user ratings, what other people or friends have brought, etc. That would give the user other means of browsing through the catalogue.

Mango adds multitasking to the platform. Was this a feature you'd been looking for?

This is definitely a great feature. We implemented fast app switching on Rocket Riot right away, and I must say I haven't seen better multitasking than this on any other platform.

In Rocket Riot, people sometimes accidentally hit the phone's search button, so it's great to be able to switch back to the game without losing progress.

Have you had to re-code any of your titles to take advantage of Mango?

We have been implementing the new Mango features early on and didn't have to recode anything at all. We could totally focus on implementing new features instead.

How are downloads performing, and what's your take on the platform's performance?

I can't say any exact download numbers - Rocket Riot was published by Microsoft Game Studios - but what I can say is we're happy with the performance so far.

From my Dutch perspective - where it just started out rolling out Windows Phone devices - it's hard to say what the platform's overall performance is.

What do you make of Nokia's first two devices - the Lumia 800 in particular? Will it change Windows Phone's standing in the market?

I really like the Lumia 800, and as soon as it is available I will buy one. I think the Lumia 800 looks stunning and, since I have been a fan of the platform, it's a must buy.

I hope these new devices, including both HTC's Radar and Titan, can increase the popularity of the platform. They're certainly reasonably priced and the free satnav on offer from Nokia could be a killer feature.

What I will miss from Lumia 800 is the bigger screen of the HTC Titan.

How do you think Mango compares to the likes of iOS 5 and Ice Cream Sandwich?

In terms of features, I think Mango is getting on par with iOS 5 and Android. It's very friendly to use and the battery life is so much better compared to both platforms.

What is missing, however, is essential apps. Windows Phone Marketplace is growing very fast, but it would be great to see more popular apps and the kind of games you see on iOS and Android hit Windows Phone.

This will all depend on how popular these newly released phones become of course.

Is there anything missing from Mango from a game development perspective? Where should Microsoft go next?

We would really like to see realtime multiplayer games come to any mobile platform. I think the first platform to roll that out successfully could gain massive market share.

I mean, can you imagine Rocket Riot with realtime multiplayer deathmatch?
Thanks to Peter for his time.

You can find out more about CodeGlue on the studio's website.