The Windows Phone 7.8 update for older Windows Phone devices like the Nokia Lumia 800 is expected to launch within a matter of weeks, after Microsoft confirmed finalisation of the software to attendees at a Windows Phone 8 briefing in Singapore recently.
A leaked document from China showed that the update was still a fair way off, although reports coming from the event in Singapore are contradicting that. The document showed that Windows Phone 7.8 would arrive early in 2013, though the software is now thought to be in the “RTM” stage, which means Microsoft has sent it out to manufacturers so they can get started with the update process.
Of course, manufacturers will then want to test that the software works well on their devices and with their own bundled apps and services, which will have a knock-on effect on exactly when the update will go live to customers. We would imagine that Nokia will be able to get the update out first due to their close partnership with Microsoft, although manufacturers like ZTE who include little to no extras should be able to also fire out the update quickly.
Windows Phone 7.8 is a software update that will bring elements of the newer Windows Phone 8 to the first generation of Windows Phones, which started on Windows Phone 7 and are currently on 7.5. These include Nokia’s flagship Lumia 800 and 900 phones and Samsung’s Omnia 7, which many people were likely to be stuck with in the middle of a long contract when Microsoft revealed Windows Phone 8 and a host of new devices.
The update will bring the ability to resize home screen tiles to three different sizes, along with an improved lock screen, better security options and a new Internet Explorer web browser. New themes and wallpapers will also be added, as will the ability to make a ringtone from an MP3 file.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: WMPoweruser