Microsoft, Windows Phone carriers rolling out disappearing keyboard fix

Microsoft and carriers have started rolling out a service update that fixes disappearing on-screen keyboards, among other issues reported in late 2011 by Windows Phone "Mango" users.

The Update (7.10.8107.79) -- information about which Microsoft added to its Windows Phone Update History page on January 5 -- includes the following fixes, according to the company:

• On-screen keyboard. Fixes an issue to prevent the keyboard from disappearing during typing.
• Email. Fixes a Google mail syncing issue.
• Location. Fixes a location access issue. With this fix, the Me feature in the People Hub sends anonymous information about nearby Wi-Fi access points and cell towers to Microsoft only if you agree to allow the Check In function to access and use location information.
• Security. Revokes digital certificates from DigiCert Sdn Bhd to address an encryption issue.
• Email threads. Fixes an email issue related to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. With this fix, when you reply to or forward a message, the original message is now included in your response.
• Voicemail. Fixes a voicemail notification display issue that occurs on some European and Asian networks under certain conditions.

I asked Microsoft for a timetable for the service-update rollout and whether all carriers in all markets would be getting it and was told the company had no further information to share. (Why not? I have no idea.)

This is the official company statement that I received via e-mail: "“Our engineering team has developed a service release which has been delivered to our carrier partners for their assessment. Details on specific improvements contained in these releases are available via the Windows Phone Update History page.”

WMPoweruser.com reported on January 4 that Vodafone-branded LG Optimus 7 users were seeing notification of the availability of the fix.

Update (January 6): Microsoft officials say the 8107 update is available to "all carriers that request it." Still no more info on which ones will be rolling it out when, however. In fact, according to today's post on the "Windows Phone blog," Microsoft plans, going forward to no longer offer details on individual country, model, and carrier updates on the Where’s My Phone Update? site. Instead, "the official Windows Phone website will be the primary place for news and information about our updates."