Nokia has just announced the release of Windows Phone 7.8, which begins rolling out to supported devices immediately. The software, which offers those on Windows Phone 7.x a taster of the new features enjoyed by those on Windows Phone 8, has been quite a long time in waiting, and starting today and running through the next couple of weeks, users will receive a notification prompt regarding the update being ready for their handset.

If you own a Samsung branded Windows Phone 7.5 device, then we have some great news for you – you’re getting a software update! The upgrade path for Windows Phones has been something of a black hole of information for the platform’s users. Those who picked up one of Samsung’s Windows Phone 7.5 devices not too long ago have found themselves fearing the worst after learning that their relatively new handsets would not be updated to the all-singing, all-dancing Windows Phone 8 platform. But what about Windows Phone 7.8, it’s slightly smaller, less exciting brother?

All of the recent Nokia and Windows Phone discussions may be centered around the Finnish company’s launch of the fantastic new Lumia range of devices powered by Windows Phone 8 but if you happened to have gotten in on the Lumia action during the first wave of releases last year then there could be a nice software related surprise waiting for your Lumia 800 device when it connects to the Zune software. Those who still make daily use of their Lumia 800 have obviously made the conscious decision that the upgrade to a newer Lumia device isn’t on the cards just yet but that shouldn’t stop 800 owners from updating the device to Windows Phone 7.8 as it becomes available through Zune.

Microsoft today announced some information surrounding a new release of its Windows Phone software that will go some way to answering some of the most oft-asked questions – when will Windows Phone 7.8 be released, and who will be able to take advantage of it?

According to a report over at WMPowerUser, the long-awaited release of Windows Phone 7.8 is almost upon us, so those rocking one of the older WP7.X devices will be able to get something of a taster of Windows Phone 8.

For quite some time, the race of the mobile operating systems has only included Android and iOS, as fans of both the OSes vehemently give their opinions on why their preferred choice is better than the competition. Personally speaking, I own devices that run both Android and iOS and can pick a long list of pros and cons with both. I personally prefer iOS, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love Android and recognize the benefits that it brings in an industry where we need diversity. Those two platforms still remain dominant, but it looks like Microsoft is ready to give a big push to Windows Phone and I’m secretly hoping that it gets the attention and success it rightly deserves.

When Microsoft finally got around to announcing Windows Phone 8, users of current WP7.x were left a little disappointed by the lack of support for any current devices. As disheartening as the move was for some, it was a necessary way for Microsoft to really move on, since Windows Phone 8 will offer support for more powerful, dual-core devices – something which will undoubtedly be hindered by the support for older hardware.

Microsoft recently announced Windows Phone 8 with a bunch of important new features that put it but in the three-horse mobile OS race. Features included support for multiple cores, HD displays, Near Field Communication (NFC), a shared core with Windows 8, use of Nokia’s mapping technology for turn-by-turn navigation, Skype integration and a much more customizable start-screen. We’ve discussed these features in detail here.