Windows Phone 7.5 In The Works

Microsoft is working on updates to Windows Phone 7 with early 2011 release dates expected. Now we've got information that a big update is arriving at the end of the summer and may be called Windows Phone 7.Early in 2011, we can expect updates that will add copy and paste to the platform as well as CDMA support allowing Verizon and Sprint to carry the phones. In-app downloads and more multitasking support may also be in one of the two updates.

Now we have rumors of a big update that may arrive at the end of the summer. It is code named Mango and may bear the name Windows Phone 7.5 when released. The big addition is HTML5 as well as browser support for Silverlight. Far Eastern languages should also be in there. Microsoft Exchange support in Windows Phone 7 is pretty limited compared to Windows Mobile 6.x so there is a lot of room for improvement. Hopefully more supported policies there will make it in the update to give enterprise customers more reasons to consider the platform.

This kind of update schedule puts Microsoft's platform on par with the update schedules from Google and Apple. Previously, Microsoft had released major versions of Windows Mobile every 18 months or so are rarely if ever released an end-user oriented update in between. They would routinely issue what they called an AKU, and the phone manufacturers may use that AKU in new phones, but existing phones almost never got the update. Even when an older phone was upgraded, those updates never saw features and enhancements that Windows Phone will enjoy.

It is assumed that all WP7 devices will be eligible for the upgrades.