By Miriam Gottfried
Microsoft (MSFT) introduced a new version of its Windows Phone software that allows users to operate multiple programs at once and look up information on items by looking at them through the phone’s camera.
The company, which unveiled the software at a developer conference today, said in a statement that the software would appear on phones later this year.
Microsoft needs the new features to help it compete with popular operating systems from Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOG).
The company is also hoping to get more developers to create applications for the new software. Microsoft said tools to facilitate that development will become available in May.
Shares of Microsoft closed flat at $25.63.
