Microsoft finally rolls out Mango update to Windows Phone devices

Microsoft has started a global rollout of the long-awaited Mango update for Windows Phone, and has promised that existing devices will be upgraded by the end of October.

The rollout started at 6pm BST on Tuesday and, although it is expected to start slowly, will gather pace, explained Nick Hedderman, head of consumer marketing for Windows Phone at Microsoft.

Network operators will push the Mango update over the air, and customers will receive a notification when it is available to download, he told journalists at a briefing at Microsoft's offices in London today.

Microsoft has made a schedule available, so that customers can see when their operator will deliver the update.

Mango adds a number of significant features, including the integration of Twitter and LinkedIn and the introduction of threaded conversations and HTML5 support for IE9.

V3 has had some hands-on time with Mango ahead of the rollout and will post a review analysing the key features on Wednesday.

Several new Windows Phone Mango smartphones are expected by the end of the year from Nokia, HTC and Samsung.

Microsoft has also launched an online Marketplace for the Windows Phone platform, allowing buyers to purchase apps without having to connect their handset to a PC. This follows in the footsteps of Android, which allows users to search and download apps from a browser.

The online Marketplace is also accessible from Mac and iPad devices and does not require Microsoft's Zune software.