Microsoft publishes Windows Phone 7.8 change log.

The Windows Phone 7.8 update rollout started yesterday with reports from users that the update notification has popup on their devices. So far things seem to go well. The update is indeed being pushed to all Windows Phone 7.5 devices including first generation HTC Mozart to the HTC Radar and, of course, the Nokia Lumia devices. All? No, not all devices since the HTC HD7 and the AT&T Titan 2 have been left out. There has been few to no information about the latter device getting the update. On the other hand, HTC took to twitter to announce that they have no plans to release the update for the HD7. I don't worry too much about the HD7 which seem well poised to embrace the same path as the HD2; the device that has more lives than a cat.

After pushing the Windows Phone 7.8 update yesterday, Microsoft, today has published the change log. Check out the changes below:

Update 7.10.8858.136

Also known as Windows Phone 7.8*.

Start. Provides resizable small, medium, and large Live Tiles so you can customize your Startexperience in new ways.

Accent colors. Expands the number of available accent colors to 20.

Lock screen. Improves the lock screen experience with accidental wipe protection features and the Bing image of the day wallpaper.

Marketplace and Xbox. Expands Windows Phone Marketplace and Xbox support to new countries and regions.

Fonts. Enhances the Chinese font and improves the appearance of Arabic and other languages.

Other improvements. Includes many other improvements to Windows Phone.

This update is not available in all markets or for all phones. To learn more about what's included in this update, see Windows Phone 7.8.

Source: Windows Phone 7 update history

Confirmed: Windows Phone 7.8 coming in early 2013.

In a blog post to the Windows Phone blog, Terry Myerson reveals that Windows Phone 7.8 rollout will begin in early 2013 as soon as test with hardware partners and carriers are completed. No mention is made about the devices to be updated besides the Lumia but the post does say that the maximum devices will get the update.

Terry Myerson also announces the release of new devices running Windows Phone 7.8 which will cost less than WP8. "New models running Windows Phone 7.8 are beginning to launch in many countries around the world, strengthening the ecosystem by bringing more Windows Phones to more people. These devices will typically be sold at a range of lower price points, meaning there will now be Windows Phones for everyone's budget and need. This is incredibly important for broadening the reach of Windows Phone across the globe and ensuring we have the right product for every market."

What's new in Windows Phone 7.8?
Besides the resizable tiles, the upgrade will include additional themes and accent colors, up to twenty. A new lock screen with the option to display the Bing picture of the day plus the PIN/Password challenge to avoid accidental device wipes on devices connected to Exchange servers. Unfortunately, there's still no support for Bluetooth file transfer and Internet Explorer 10. The latter needs multiple cores processor to run.

Now that we know more about Windows Phone 7.8, are you excited?

Read the full blog post

Posted while commuting to work.