CES 2011: More details about the Windows Phone 7 update revealed

During Steve Ballmer’s keynote address at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas  he mentioned that an update to Windows Phone 7 was in the works to add even more functionality to the popular mobile phone operating system. Microsoft has now updated its website with more details on what we can expect – and even hints at a release date for the end of January.The webpage detailing the Windows Phone 7 update lists some of the great new features:

Copy and paste

Soon you’ll be able to copy text from emails, text messages, web pages, and Office Mobile documents, and paste it anywhere you can type.

Copy and paste is a great way to quickly send someone’s latest Facebook update,a phone number, or an internet link from Internet Explorer Mobile. Once you’ve copied something, you can paste it again and again. This is the feature that has been most requested by people who already have Windows Phone 7, and it’s great to see that Microsoft has listened to its customers.

Faster apps and games

Windows Phone 7 is already a smooth and snappy operating system, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft hasn’t kept working to minimise the time it takes to launch, minimise and resume applications and games. The new update will make using your phone even quicker.

Better Marketplace search

Microsoft has streamlined Marketplace search to make it easier to find specific apps, games, or music. Press the Search button in the apps or games section of Marketplace and you’ll see only apps or games in the results.

Press Search in the music section of Marketplace to search just the music catalogue.

When can I get the update?

Although Microsoft has not announced a date for the update yet, the webpage address makes reference to a January update – so fingers crossed we’ll see the improvements by the end of this month. Don’t worry about missing the update – your Windows Phone 7 phone will update automatically as soon as the update is released.