Windows Phone 7.8 update available for Nokia Lumia phones

The Windows Phone 7.8 update is now rolling out to first-generation Nokia Lumia handsets including the Lumia 610, Lumia 710, Lumia 800 and Lumia 900.

Nokia revealed the news on its company blog ‘Conversations by Nokia’.

From the beginning of February onwards SIM-free devices will receive update notifications allowing users to download the new build.

Users with network-locked handsets will have to wait until their carrier approves the update, although the wording of Nokia’s announcement suggests some may have already approved it.

The download won’t be over-the-air though, you’ll have to connect your phone to a computer and use Microsoft’s Zune software package. Nokia’s even released a handy video to show you how.

The most obvious change for users with the new software will be the introduction of Windows Phone 8’s more customisable UI, with resizable Live Tiles, more options to send notifications, pictures and info to the lock screen and a wider choice of theme colours.

Other tweaks will include internet sharing, Bluetooth sharing and adjustments to the camera support, which will allow for use of apps such as Nokia City Lens.

Windows Phone 7.8 also introduces some of Microsoft’s new services, such as an improved Xbox Live gaming platform and the addition of Xbox Music + Video and Xbox SmartGlass.

‘These new benefits, together with the new look Start screen, will make your Lumia feel like a brand new smartphone,’ said Nokia’s blog post.

To make sure you get prompted to update when it becomes available, on your Lumia phone go to ‘Settings > Phone Update > ‘Notify me when new updates are found.’

Your phone must be a Nokia Lumia and must be running at least Windows Phone 7.5 Mango in order to be updated to the new build.

If it's not running on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, you will have to update your device to that version first, using Nokia Zune.