The long awaited ability to be able to copy and paste on Windows Phone 7 is finally starting to arrive for those on the fledgling platform, and V3.co.uk was eager to see how the feature would improve the use of the phone.

After a painless update process - no bricking issues have been reported this time around - we found that the Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V ability has been well designed and is easy to manage.

Clicking on a word on a web page brings up a little clipboard icon (see below) and two cursors that you can drag to the left and the right to increase the amount of text you want to copy, as is standard on other operating systems.

Similarly, clicking on the URL also brings up the ability to copy the address bar, while within the text message applications the entire message can be copied instantly under a list of options that also includes forward and delete.

When you want to paste your copy you simply tap the screen in the message box or URL bar, for example, and the clipboard icon appears again so you can insert your text. The icon then disappears, but can be brought back by dragging it from slightly off screen if you want to paste again.

Overall, it's quick and easy to use and very intuitive, much like the rest of the Windows Phone interface. While it seems slightly odd Microsoft wasn't able to include it from the off for such a simple function, the firm has at least made sure the update version is more than adequate.

Other improvements in the NoDo update include faster loading times for apps, improved marketplace search and stability - it was prone to crashing and the only way to open it again was to turn the phone on and off again. Displaying the phone's MAC address also makes it easier to join certain Wi-Fi networks.

Microsoft said it has also improved integration with Facebook accounts and made switching between camera and video modes more stable.

The firm has also announced developer updates at its MIX conference in the last few days, such as the ability to access the Live Agents functions, multi-task, run apps in the background and push notifications. The Live Tiles feature can also be used to display dynamically updating information within the application's icon on the phone's front screen.

With these developments, and the backing of analysts who think the platform is set for sizeable growth, Microsoft could well be on its way to challenging Android and Apple for market share.

Video of the copy and paste in action:

14 Apr 2011