Windows Phone 7.8 Updates

[SVK]

Now that official news about WP8 is out, most of WP7 devices owners (like me) are eagerly waiting for WP7.8 update.
Lets post any news/updates (or rumors) related to WP7.8 updates here.

Windows Phone 7.8 probably coming late | wpcentral | Windows Phone News, Forums, and Reviews

Windows Phone 8 is to be formally released in a few more hours. But guess a whole lot of us care more about its little brother: Windows Phone 7.8. For existing Windows Phone users who aren't buying a new device at this time, Windows Phone 7.8 is the real savior. There's bad news coming from Chinese site WPDang though: it'll be coming late.

Citing undisclosed sources, the site claims that Windows Phone 7.8 won't come through OTA update first. Instead, after a few weeks of Windows Phone 8 debut, version 7.8 will show up pre-loaded on new low-end devices. Afterward, OEMs will be pushing out OTA updates to older phones.

If true, this sounds awfully like what it was like with Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango): Fujitsu IS12T, Nokia Lumia 800, HTC Titan, then existing devices started to get the update gradually. Some OEMs might choose to update old phones in a manual way in retail stores, like what HTC did back then in Taiwan.

The good news is that, Windows Phone 8.0 and 7.8 are largely the same. Let's pray no one is left behind.

 

[SVK]

Windows Phone Italy's Facebook page reveals WP7.8 features - GSMArena.com news
Whoever is managing the Windows Phone Italia Facebook page was more talkative, however, and answered a question from a fan, revealing the new features that v7.8 will bring. The response has been deleted since.

The list includes the new homescreen (which we already knew), something called 'Club', which we guess is Rooms, Xbox Music and SmartGlass.
Facebook is hardly a reliable source of info, but the features listed seem quite probable - we already know about the homescreen, Rooms and SmartGlass are available for other OSes too, so it's unlikely they will be excluded from WP7.8 and Xbox Music will bring the existing user base to Microsoft's new music service.

In case you don't know yet, Windows Phone 7.8 will be released for 7 and 7.5 devices, as the old hardware won't get updated to WP8.

 

[SVK]

Windows Phone 7.8 features detailed in leaked Nokia training slide | WMPoweruser
A leaked Nokia training slide has detailed the Windows Phone 7.8 features users can expect when they upgrade.
They include of course the new start screen with 3 tile sizes, but also an improved lock screen, Bing wallpapers, 20 theme colours, IE browser security upgrades and editing MP3s as ring tones.
Other expected features not shown in the slide, includes sharing multimedia files via Bluetooth and a contacts transfer/sharing application.
That is quite a reasonable haul, especially it seems the full start screen experience from Windows Phone 8, including Bing Wallpapers.

Source - WP8 (Translate to English in Google Chrome)

 

[Jignesh]

Windows Phone 7.8 could hit devices in a matter of days | News | TechRadar

WP 7.8 update might come in a few weeks, WP7.9 in the works? - GSMArena.com news

 

[Jignesh]

Lenses feature allegedly coming to Windows Phone 7.8 too | Windows Phone Central

 

[Sushubh]

no matter how much they update 7.x series, it is unlikely to support windows phone 8.x apps. which makes all these updates ornamental in nature.

 

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[Technoholic]

and i won't be surprised if majority of developers will opt to develop WP7.x compatible WP8 apps instead of just WP8 app. WP7.x has considerable market share with 10mn+ lumias sold since launch and OS won't be discontinued in near future. Nokia will continue to penetrate lower price points with WP7.x for year or so before jumping all guns on WP8. Indication of further updates post 7.8 hints at something.What I see from last few days that WP7.x apps are being updated to take advantage of WP8 resources (of course without loosing compatibility with 7.x) and almost all new apps are coming to both platforms at a time. its a different story for games though. all 4-5 games announced since WP8 launch are only compatible with WP8 for a time being.

 

[SVK]

Rumour: Windows Phone 7.8 to be released on Wednesday | WMPoweruser
Here is a little rumour that is doing the rounds. We have seen Microsoft and Nokia officials teasing the upcoming arrival of Windows Phone 7.8, seen the OS being demoed on the Nokia Lumia 510 and even promotional material being printed describing the new OS.

Now we have had a tip saying we can expect the OS update to be published this Wednesday, on the 28th November 2012.

The update will brings the new start screen, but also new accent colours, Bing lock screen wallpaper, and on Nokia handsets SMS drafts and the ability to keep WIFI active when the device is suspended.

There are also rumours of the ability to send files via Bluetooth File Transfer.

We do not have any verification of course, but how long can Microsoft really keep us hanging on for the few changes that will accompany the new version number?

I have seen many rumors become reality, and hoping these to become reality too 🙂

 

[Jignesh]

Just tired of these rumours.MS just give us 7.8

 

[Technoholic]

it says a lot about strategy.. What's The Story Behind Windows Phone 7.8? - Forbes

 

[Sushubh]

while on the topic of 7.8, this article made a good reading.

When Microsoft announced Windows Phone 7.8 in June, I knew it was too good to be true. At the time, it seemed like Microsoft was throwing a bone to disappointed early adopters who would not be able to upgrade their existing handsets to Windows Phone 8. Today, it just seems like a slap in the face.



Windows Phone Team: This is No Way to Treat Early Adopters | Windows Phone content from Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows

 

[Sushubh]

Windows Phone 7.8 to land on existing devices early next year

https://imgur.com/eJnge

 

[Technoholic]

Windows Phone 7.8 showing up on Navifirm for Nokia Lumia 800, lumia 510 | Windows Phone Central

Reported changelog:

From Microsoft:

New homescreen experience with more room for your Live Tiles. Now resizable.
Ability to set the Bing image of the day as the Lock Screen wallpaper.
Pocket and child Lock screen Security
20 new accent theme colors
Ability to set Google search as default search engine on IE.

From Nokia (exclusive to Nokia Lumia):

Bluetooth File Transfer for all non copyright protected media files
Ringtone Maker application to create ringtone using media on device without requiring Zune
Cinemagraph camera extra to create movie-like animation, creating photos that are alive
New camera extra to remove unwanted objects in your photos such as passers-by or people on the edge of the shot that spoil the photo
Updated Contacts Transfer application
Updates Contact Share application with ability to share contacts via Bluetooth

 

[reddead]

They should have added a option to increase font size...imo its a bit small on lumia 800

 

[Jignesh]

Anyone tried to flash this?