Windows Phone 7.8 Update: Release Date for Early 2013; Customers Not Too Happy; What Users Are Saying

Windows Phone 8 smartphones have recently launched but Microsoft will be going backwards in their numbers with an upcoming release.

The Windows Phone 7.8 update is set to launch in early 2013 for Windows 7 customers, Microsoft confirmed in a blog post.

Posted by Windows Phone Corporate Vice President Terry Myerson, the update will feature access to new apps such as Words with Friends, Draw Something, and the upcoming Angry Birds Star Wars.

"Windows Phone 7.8 also includes some other cool stuff," added Myerson. "It doubles the number of theme and accent colors-to 20-so you can make your phone even more personal. There are also new lock screen features: the option to automatically display the Bing Picture of the Day plus the 'A1B2C3' PIN/password challenge to prevent accidental device wipes on phones connected to Exchange accounts."

According to Myerson, new models of the Windows Phone 7.8 are starting to launch in many countries with "a range of lower price points."

The Windows Phone 7.8 is still in the rollout testing phases and so far 95 countries should see the device.

"We know you're eager to get the Windows Phone 7.8 update, and we want you to know that we're working closely with our hardware and carrier partners to get it tested, approved, and rolled out to as many devices as possible in early 2013," said Myerson.

Reaction to the blog post is mixed to negative with users stating the following:

killercrit: "Wow I am thrilled and all the 7.8 is coming. but this is not an update to what we already know. You just re-iterated what everyone already knows. We know we are gettign a  new startscreen and colors. but what else? Please restrain form updating us on windows phone 7.8 when you can actually tell us all the features and stuff we can look forward with 7.8."

Frank H: "disappointed.  extremely disappointed.  beyond extremely disappointed.  the first WP78 announcement was in June of 2012.  5 months later, we still don't have it.  why you guys bother making announcements and then making us wait 6+ months to get it ???"

Lordreo: "This is really annoying. Microsoft does not seem to care about the people that chose WP7. Not only was my phone (Lumia 900) out of date one month after release in Switzerland, now I also have to wait forever just to get an update that doesn't deserve to be called a "major" update."

DennisSosa: "Very good news. Can't wait to update."