Microsoft, Windows Phone makers roll out bug fixes, firmware updates

Microsoft and its Windows Phone partners are rolling out more updates and fixes this week -- including a remedy for a nagging Exchange Server 2003 compatibility issue.

Samsung Focus 1.4 users on AT&T will finally be getting their Windows Phone Mango (Windows Phone OS 7.1) updates, starting on November 17, Microsoft officials said. Samsung Omnia 7 users on Telefonica are now in the "scheduling" phase for Mango, as of today, Microsoft officials said via a new Windows Phone blog post.

Microsoft and phone partners are rolling out "another wave of firmware updates" for select Windows Phone models, starting this week, as well, officials said. Microsoft execs have declined to get specific about what these firmware updates are delivering, other than to say they're adding new Mango features and functionality -- like tethering support, adjustable ringer volume, etc. -- to particular phones on selected carriers.

Microsoft and certain carriers also are pushing to certain Windows Phone users a "service release" -- Build 7.10.7740 -- that fixes "an issue with new voice mail notifications not appearing for customers on some European and Asian networks under certain conditions." The 7740 update also fixes a reported bug with Exchange Server 2003 accessibility encountered by some Windows Phone users. Vodafone, Orange and Deutsche Telecom are the first carriers pushing out 7740; other carriers are still evaluating it, according to today's blog post.

I don't know whether the latest round of firmware updates and fixes will do anything about fixing the disappearing soft keyboards and Zune freezes reported by a number of Windows Phone users. I have asked Microsoft officials repeatedly about this and continue to be told that Microsoft is investigating these reported issues, but cannot get more information about how/when/if Microsoft and partners will address them.