Windows Phone 7.8, the update that brings software improvements to Windows Phone devices released before the advent of Windows Phone 8, is due within the next few months, according to Microsoft.
In a blog post titled 'An update on Windows Phone 7.8' (I see what you did there Microsoft), the PowerPoint-flogging firm says customers can expect to see the new software "rolled out to as many devices as possible in early 2013."
That matches a rumour from earlier this month, but soundly debunks the theory that the update would be arriving, er, yesterday. The software is expected to introduce MP3 editing for custom ringtones and Bluetooth file sharing, alongside confirmed features like the customisable homescreen and new colour themes.
Microsoft also says that new phones running Windows Phone 7.8 are being released around the world at lower prices, in a bid to get a greater fraction of the Earth's populace hooked into the tile-centric operating system.
With Windows Phone 8 devices already lining shop shelves, being told to wait until next year is too much for many Microsoft customers, and many have taken to the comments of Microsoft's post to air their frustration.
"I feel like I wasted my money, sadly," one writes. Another describes themselves as being, "beyond extremely disappointed. The first WP7.8 announcement was in June of 2012. Five months later, we still don't have it."
"Was excited in June, now just disappointed. My next phone is an iPhone," another says.
The upset is understandable, as Microsoft denied earlier Windows Phone devices the update to Windows Phone 8. Windows Phone 7.8 was supposed to be a peace offering to early adopters, but having to wait so long to get that peace offering seems like salt in the wound.
"We -- as Windows Phone 7 users -- were the first who trusted the Windows Phones and supported the sales in the early launch," one commenter says, "so we deserve to get the new software as fast as possible."
We asked our Facebook fans what they thought about the delay. One says "It's nice of them to leave their early adopters waiting in the dust." Another writes, "so long wait, I would buy another phone."
Not everyone is irate, however. One Facebook fan says "I have WP7 and it's brilliant, my phone is fast and most importantly for a phone it calls and texts".
What do you think about waiting for Windows Phone 7.8? Tell me in the comments or on our marvellous Facebook wall.
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Comments 9
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anonymous 29 November, 2012 13:10
Jesus, kids, un-bunch your panties.
My Lumia 800 has worked brilliantly since I got it. No, it hasn't got a huge, HD screen. It hasn't got a front camera that I'd never use. I miss BBC iPlayer, but I'm really not bothered about apps.
16gb is fine. The camera is fine. SkyDrive is really good. Offline Nokia Drive sat-nav is fantastic. Reading my texts over my car's radio and letting me dictate a reply? Perfect. And the operating system has worked smoothly and attractively from day one.
I'm glad Microsoft and Nokia made a 'phone that, er... "just works".
anonymous 29 November, 2012 13:40
If Microsoft needs some more time to test the update, they need More time to test the update. My phone has worked flawlessly since I bought it, doesn't send me into back alleys or other countries with its maps, and has been a pleasure to work with. I'll gladly wait another month or two if that's what it takes, but to be honest I am perfectly happy with the feature set I have.
anonymous 29 November, 2012 14:49
As a Windows Phone owner and user I couldn't care less - my phone is faster and has more (useful) features than any iPhone and Android phone out there.
Cnet lets ask a few more people next time before you make wild sweeping statements
anonymous 29 November, 2012 16:04
I have an HTC Mozart and im pretty annoyed about the delay. I think 7.8 should have been an ota update and should have happened about a month after the wp8 launch. Still, I love my phone.
anonymous 29 November, 2012 16:39
Seriously, this is a non-issue to true early adopters.
I was an early adopter to Windows Phone 7 (November 2010), and guess what I did once my contract expired....got a Windows Phone 8 (Nokia Lumia 920)! If you were an early adopter then by now your contract should have expired and you should upgrade, if you bought your phone outright then 2 years down the line you should be thinking about getting a new phone.
The only folk with slightly valid points are those who bought earlier this year, specifically Nokia's. But that being said. you chose the phone based on what it had, not on what it might get via. updates, they have not removed any features but rather improved WP7 to WP7.5. Stop moaning, if people are actually complaining that is.
anonymous 29 November, 2012 18:59
Well, many people said that now that windows phone 8 arrived people who were early adopters of windows 7.5 should be upgrading to a windows 8 phone. But here, in Argentina, windows phone 7.5 phone has recently arrive to the market and at least for us it's almost imposible to buy a windows phone 8 device. And if we could buy one the price would be so high that I would have to sell a kidney! So please Microsoft, release WP 7.8 ASAP! At least for the third world countries! XD
anonymous 29 November, 2012 19:43
@anon: 18:59
If you'll only organise the welcoming party, I'm sure our chaps in Stanley would be happy to take the mainland and bring a few WP8s for you all! :)
anonymous 29 November, 2012 19:57
OK, so for all you saying that we should stop moaning. My lumia 800 has been plagued with problems from day 1. Update after update and my phone is just about stable and can hold charge for over a day.... there were times between some updates when the battery would drain, doing absolutely nothing, within 2 hours. And oh yeah, with another update, if I let it run out of charge, the phone would not recognise being charged when it was plugged in and the battery would not charge. Now I don't run any apps, because, quite frankly, I've almost given up on the phone, and I can't expect to get any more apps for this phone now that windows 8 is out. Nokia drive was a big driving force behind me choosing to buy the lumia 800, and despite having all the maps stored locally on the phone, for some stupid reason you need to be online to have the route planned out... this is ok in most cases, but in some places, you just don't have good enough network coverage. But anyway, i have a year left of my 24 month contract, and so far, I regret getting this phone.... I don't like google's way of doing things with android, and I am a fan of licensing out the operating system to OEMs. It's just more open. However, unless I'm convinced otherwise, it's blackberry 10 or iPhone next. Windows phone 7.8 is Microsoft's only opportunity to keep hold of a significant proportion of early adopters. If it can show us some of what's in store for us with windows phone 8, if it can show us that it will be worth upgrading to windows phone 8, then it might just appease us and we might just upgrade to windows phone 8 when our current contracts. However, the longer microsoft delays, the fewer the people that will get a sneak peak of windows phone 7.8, and the fewer of the currently frustrated people that will stay loyal. Then again, the current market share of windows phone 7.5 is tiny, so why would microsoft care about us? So long as they keep bombarding the tv advert space with catchy tunes and fun adverts about windows 8, it knows that the sheep will follow.
anonymous 29 November, 2012 23:54
I thought would share this with you. I required a second phone to my Galaxy S3, looked around and spotted the nokia lumia 800 for £159 on Amazon. I have always used android but thought it was a very good price & ordered it. I can hardly believe how good this phone is, the build quality is superb & its a pleasure to use. I love the black background feature & have hardly noticed the screen size difference at all. I call it my little cute pig, I know i'm really sad. The live tiles are my favourite feature & love seeing the updates. As for the app complaint, I can't see the problem, I work in an office & can find an app for everything I need. Its made me start now looking at other windows phones, something up until two weeks ago I would never have done. I think if more people gave the windows os a chance it would really take off. I believe the lumia runs 7.5 maybe wrong, not sure & the new ones are win 8, well they must be even better one would hope. I really do think this os could be the way forward & the blackberry london appears very similar. Keep it up microsoft, brilliant os, just love it.