Microsoft Finally Rolling Out Windows Phone 7.5 Upgrades

Microsoft has finally begun rolling out Windows Phone 7.5, though not all Windows Phone owners will be getting the update right away.

Customers should check Microsoft’s official Where's My Phone Update? page to verify when their devices will be getting the upgrade, but this company says that upgrades are on their way to handsets offered by all the of the four biggest U.S. carriers.

Still, users of these smartphones should be aware that software updates are typically sent out gradually, to ensure quality, so it may take several weeks before users receive notifications that updates are available for their phones.

For AT&T customers out there, delivery has begun for the HTC Surround, LG Quantum and Samsung Focus v.1.3, though the HTC HD7S is currently “Scheduling.” While the Samsung Focus v 1.4 is “Testing,” the Dell Venue Pro is currently in “Planning.” Definitions of those terms can also be found on Microsoft's phone update web page.

What's New
The update, codenamed Mango, will bring Windows Phone users new features like Bing Vision, Threads, Groups and the new Internet Explorer 9. One of the new additions not publicized previously is tethering, which will only be available to those with new WP handsets that have radio broadcasting connections, while those updating an existing phone to 7.5 won't have the hardware to support such a feature. Another fresh asset on Mango will be the new Web Marketplace, which will serve as an online hub for apps and games. 

For those looking to upgrade their WP device, the HTC Titan from AT&T, the HTC Radar 4G for T-Mobile, the Samsung Omnia W and the ZTE Tania, will all ship with Windows Phone 7.5 and the hardware support for Internet sharing that previous devices don’t have. 

Video Preview
Microsoft put together a video showing the features of the new Web Marketplace: