Archive for update status

Tango update appears on Windows Phone website, rollout expected to begin on June 20

Windows Phone Tango Tango update appears on Windows Phone website, rollout expected to begin on June 20

Most people have turned their attention toward Windows Phone 8 codenamed “Apollo,” but Microsoft still has another update up its sleeve for Windows Phone 7.5 handsets. This update, which is known as “Tango,” was initially shown off at Mobile World Congress back in February. Now, after a few months of silence, it appears Tango might finally be ready for public consumption.

The change log for the Tango update (v7.10.8773.98) has appeared on the Windows Phone website’s update history page. It doesn’t reveal any additional information–far from it, it has actually been simplified quite a bit–but it does seem to imply that the update will soon be available for download on existing handsets.

This theory is backed up by an internal T-Mobile memo, announcing the delivery of the Tango update for the Nokia Lumia 710 on June 20. As with previous Windows Phone updates, Tango will roll out to users over a period of six weeks (until July 31). Microsoft is actually rumored to be preparing for a simultaneous rollout, just like what the company did with the Mango update. Not coincidentally, the Windows Phone Summit is also scheduled for June 20. Could Tango be released on the same day as the Apollo announcement? It certainly seems likely.

[Windows Phone via LiveSide | WPCentral]

Nokia updates the Lumia 900 on AT&T, available now

Nokia has just released an update for its popular Lumia 900, fixing the occasional purple hue around the screen in low light conditions and improving the sensitivity for the proximity sensor, among other things. To get the update, simply connect your device to your computer using the Zune software client on the PC or the Windows Phone Connector for Mac.

AT&T’s premiere smartphone has done quite well for itself, but the small glitches here and there have been somewhat annoying. While we haven’t experienced any issues with the screen or the proximity sensor, we have noticed issues with the capacitive buttons. They will occasionally become “sticky,” turning the back button into a permanent task switcher or the forcing the home button to constantly pull up TellMe voice commands. The very short change long doesn’t mention these issues in particular, but we’re hoping they’re included in the “other minor adjustments and enhancements” category.

While this update (version 2175.1003.8112.12085) is only available for devices on AT&T, the Finnish manufacturer has promised not to forget the rest of the world. “We’ll be rolling out new updates and surprises in the near future to all Lumia 900 users, so stay tuned!”

[Nokia Conversations]

Nokia rolls out Lumia 900 update ahead of schedule

Nokia Lumia 900 update1 560x286 Nokia rolls out Lumia 900 update ahead of schedule

This, folks, is how you do customer service. Nokia has rolled out an update for the recently released Lumia 900 Windows Phone three days ahead of schedule, patching a few critical bugs. Most notably, the phone’s inability to access its data connection.

Nokia discovered the bug shortly after releasing the highly anticipated device in the US on Sunday. The company responded immediately by promising to deliver an update on April 16 and giving every Lumia 900 owner–both new and old–a $100 rebate, effectively dropping the price to $0 until April 21. This alone managed to garner a significant amount of goodwill with Nokia customers and win over many others.

The update, available now, can be applied to your device by simply connecting it to the Zune software client on PC (or the Windows Phone Connector for Mac) and following the on-screen prompts. The entire process, including backing up the phone’s data, took us about fifteen minutes.

The big question is whether AT&T had any involvement in the rollout of this update. Past updates have always had to be certified by the carrier, often resulting in long, annoying delays. But with such a quick turnaround, one has to wonder if AT&T had any involvement at all. Was it sped through certification due to the Lumia 900′s high-profile hero status on AT&T? Or was Nokia able to completely bypass the carrier? If the latter is the case, why aren’t more manufacturers doing this?

Regardless, the Finnish manufacturer deserves a massive amount of praise for turning what could have been a massive issue into one of the best customer service responses in recent memory. Well done, Nokia!

[Nokia]

AT&T comments on the Windows Phone update situation

Generic Windows Phone Update AT&T comments on the Windows Phone update situation

One of the few drawbacks to Windows Phone at this point is the distinct lack of frequent updates (although, when compared to Android, Windows Phone has it pretty good). Microsoft regularly delivers Commercial Refresh updates to its partners, but carriers get to ultimately decide whether to push it to customers or wait until a later release. As a result, some devices can go for months without an update. AT&T is arguably the worst offender in this regard, having only pushed a few select updates since Windows Phone first hit the market. An AT&T representative recently confirmed that it has no plans to release the previous two updates, build 8107 and 8112, but that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future.

While carriers can pass on an update, Microsoft does not allow devices to “skip” an update entirely. In other words, all handsets with the same version number are guaranteed to have the same feature set and bug fixes. As a result, any update AT&T pushes in the future will include Windows Phone 7.5 Commercial Refreshes 1 and 2. A spokeswoman for the company has confirmed that “AT&T plans for a Windows Phone update that will contain the improvements in the 8107 update and more.” This update will likely be the Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh, known internally as “Tango” or “Commercial Refresh 3.”

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Nokia Lumia 800 receives software update to improve battery life

Nokia Lumia 800 Update Nokia Lumia 800 receives software update to improve battery life

Nokia has begun rolling out a new software update for the Nokia Lumia 800 Windows Phone. The second update since the device was released in late October, this release promises to improve both battery performance and WiFi connectivity.

The Finnish manufacturer has elected to follow in the footsteps of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” roll-out and deliver the update over the span of two weeks. 50% of customers are expected to receive the update within the first week, with the rest following soon after.

As usual, the update (version 1600.2483.8106.11500) will be delivered via the Zune software client and the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac. Once the phone alerts you to a new update, just plug the Lumia 800 into your computer and follow the on-screen instructions.

[Nokia]

Windows Phone 8107 update begins rolling out

Windows Phone Update 560x221 Windows Phone 8107 update begins rolling out

Microsoft quietly announced a new Windows Phone update this week, build 8107.79, which fixes a number of issues like the disappearing on-screen keyboard and location access. The update is currently available for devices on select networks and those not tied to any particular carrier.

We’ve praised Microsoft in the past for its smooth simultaneous rollout of Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango,” which arrived on nearly all devices within the space of a few weeks. In fact, anyone could get the update immediately with a special work-around. Unfortunately, the Redmond software giant is leaving the delivery of this minor release up to the carriers and manufacturers. Some users have already begun seeing the update, but it’s doubtful if AT&T customers ever will. In all likelihood, it will just end up being bundled with a future update like Tango or Apollo.

Microsoft’s official statement, courtesy of Mary Jo Foley, is as follows: “Our engineering team has developed a service release which has been delivered to our carrier partners for their assessment. Details on specific improvements contained in these releases are available via the Windows Phone Update History page.”

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Microsoft rolls out Windows Phone 7740 update in select markets

Windows Phone Update 560x221 Microsoft rolls out Windows Phone 7740 update in select markets

Microsoft surprised the tech industry with the buttery smooth release of Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango.” We didn’t expect many updates between now and early next year, but the Redmond software giant is already pushing out a brand-new update! Build 7740 is in the process of being rolled out to many Windows Phone handsets, as are a series of assorted device firmware updates.

Windows Phone build 7740 is a minor release that fixes a few bugs that have cropped up in Mango, namely issues with voice mail notifications and Exchange Server 2003 connectivity. This update is mostly aimed at devices in a few select markets, like Europe and Asia, so don’t panic if you aren’t prompted to update your device.

The firmware updates, on the other hand, have enabled internet sharing (tethering), among other things, on specific devices on certain networks. Microsoft isn’t detailing exactly what each firmware update entails, but bug fixes and new features are always welcome. The Nokia Lumia 800 firmware update also improves battery life.

In other update news, the Samsung Focus 1.4 revision is finally ready to receive Mango. This rare version of the device has had a troubled update history, but the wait for Mango is finally over. Samsung Omnia 7 devices on Spain’s Telefonica network will also be receiving the update within ten days.

[Windows Phone Blog]

Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” now available on nearly all devices, firmware updates next week

Windows Phone Update 560x221 Windows Phone 7.5 Mango now available on nearly all devices, firmware updates next week

Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” is now available on nearly all Windows Phone handsets, just three short weeks after it started rolling out to customers.

Rather than deliver the update to everyone at the same time and run the risk of damaging user data, an unfortunate experience that those upgrading to iOS5 had to go through last week, Microsoft decided to push the update out over the course of a few weeks. The company started with just 10% of phones, with an optional undocumented ability to force the update right away. The process went so smoothly that, six days later, the Redmond software giant opened up the spigot to 50% of devices. Now, nearly all Windows Phone customers are free to update their handsets to Mango.

A few Windows Phones, like those on Orange in Europe, still aren’t quite ready for Mango yet. Microsoft, of course, is working with its partners to resolve the technical glitches and get the update out to customers as quickly as possible. The LG Optimus 7 on Telefonica in Spain is one of the handsets that just passed testing and has now entered the scheduling phase.

Microsoft is also preparing to roll out a set of firmware updates for select devices, which will enable such late-breaking features as internet sharing (i.e. tethering). Microsoft, however, was unable to specify which devices will receive the update, as it “depends on the country, carrier, and phone model.”

[Windows Phone Blog]

Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” reaches more devices

Windows Phone Update 560x221 Windows Phone 7.5 Mango reaches more devices

The Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” rollout continues to proceed without difficulty. This week, Microsoft began delivering the update to AT&T’s HTC HD7S here in the US and SFR’s Samsung Omnia 7 in France. At this point, Mango has already been installed on more than 50% of Windows Phone handsets worldwide.

Rather than push the update out to everyone at once and risk disastrous consequences, as Apple discovered this week, Microsoft elected to deliver the update to a small segment of devices and slowly open the spigot over time. With no issues on the radar, the Redmond software giant accelerated the update rollout one week later.

LG Germany has also confirmed that it will soon enable internet sharing (i.e. tethering) on the LG Optimus 7. The feature is expected to be enabled via a small firmware update sometime in the near future.

[Windows Phone Blog | Windows Phone Blog | LGBlog via WPCentral]

Microsoft accelerates Windows Phone 7.5 Mango rollout

Windows Phone Update Icons Microsoft accelerates Windows Phone 7.5 Mango rollout

Microsoft delivered good news to Windows Phone customers on Monday. The Redmond software giant has accelerated its plans and begun rolling-out the Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” update faster than originally expected. 50% of Windows Phones are now receiving the update, with the remaining half joining in the near future.

The plan, when Mango was released last week, was to deliver the update to 10% of customers immediately, followed by 25% shortly thereafter. There would, however, have been a two week wait before the rollout quickly ramped up to 100%. Obviously, this is no longer the case. 50% of customers have already been notified about the update, with the rest coming as soon as Microsoft collects enough data to determine that everything is proceeding smoothly on all carriers and devices.

Of course, those eager for the update don’t have to wait. Microsoft is encouraging Windows Phone enthusiasts to download the update right away, thanks to a work-around that has existed in the Zune software client for some time.

Some users are also reporting that they have received an additional firmware update for select Samsung handsets, which fixes a few minor issues.

[Windows Phone Blog]