T-Mobile USA scraps Windows Phone 7.8 update for Lumia 710

T-Mobile USA has confirmed it will not push Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) stopgap Windows Phone 7.8 operating system update to Nokia's (NYSE:NOK) Lumia 710 smartphone.

T-Mobile will not push the WP 7.8 update to the Lumia 710.

"At this time, the Nokia Lumia 710 will not receive the software update," T-Mobile USA said in a statement supplied to TmoNews. "T-Mobile is committed to enhancing customers' experience with our devices, including providing upgrades to the latest operating systems, and T-Mobile aims to deliver software upgrades when it will provide a better experience for our customers. We'll share additional information on upgrades for the Nokia Lumia 710 when they are available."

T-Mobile USA first released the Lumia 710--Nokia's first U.S. Windows Phone device--in early 2012. The smartphone runs Windows Phone 7.5. Because features and applications optimized for the new Windows Phone 8 smartphones are not backwards-compatible with devices running 7.5, Microsoft built version 7.8 to bring WP 8-like experiences to older handsets; highlights include a new start screen featuring resizable Live Tiles enabling more efficient access to apps, photos and contacts, new theme colors, the Bing Image of the Day lock screen wallpaper option, improved accidental wipe protection and other quality and security enhancements.

Nokia began rolling out Windows Phone 7.8 to Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800 and 900 devices last week. The manufacturer said its operator partners will determine precisely when Windows Phone 7.8 reaches subscribers. Internal AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) documents obtained by Windows Phone Central indicate the carrier will upgrade its Lumia 900 to Windows Phone 7.8, although AT&T has not yet officially announced its plans.

TmoNews notes that T-Mobile USA subscribers can take matters in their own hands and manually install Windows Phone 7.8. Details are here.

For more:
- read this TmoNews article
- read this Windows Phone Central article

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