Nokia last week began rolling out a Windows Phone 7.8 updated for its Lumia smartphones.


The mobile phone manufacturer is gradually releasing Windows Phone 7.8 for the Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800 and 900 over the course of February. Users will be getting notifications for the software update now, with unlocked phones likely to get it first while network operators must approve it first.

Nokia said, “You can transform your Nokia Lumia with a host of exciting new personalisation features, such as the ability to resize your tiles, new lock screen options, and more theme colours.”

Windows Phone 7.8 brings the new, more customisable Start Screen with resizable live tiles and the new lock screen. Nokia said its handset will also get Internet sharing, Bluetooth sharing and Camera Extras. New apps include Contact Share, Play To and Nokia City.

There’s no over the air (OTA) support for the update, so users will have to plug their Lumia device into a computer and use the Zune software to download and install Windows Phone 7.8.

“If you don’t receive the update notification within the next three weeks, please contact your operator for more information.” said Nokia.

Users are being encouraged to make sure notifications are switched on so they don’t miss the update. This can be done via settings, phone update and selecting ‘Notify me when new updates are found’.

Windows Phone 7.8 has been a long time coming after the launch of Windows Phone 8 a few months ago.

In an effort to better compete with Spotify and other music services, Nokia announced on Sunday it is expanding its free music streaming service with an enhanced paid version of its existing Nokia Music platform.

Nokia Music — the ad-free service launched in September, exclusively to Lumia smartphone users — will now offer a monthly subscription option called Nokia Music+ for about $3.99, depending on location. Spotify's subscriptions range from $4.99 to $9.99.

Although the service already allows you to download up to four one-hour mixes of music, which are playable offline, Nokia Music+ will remove the limit. It also allows you to access the service via a web app, so you can play it on your computer or smart TV, and features unlimited skips. The app is also available for download from the Windows Phone Marketplace.

"It's the only smartphone music service out there offering access to millions of songs out of the box without the need to sign up, sign in, or suffer adverts in between enjoying the music," said Jyrki Rosenberg, VP Entertainment at Nokia, in a statement on the company's blog. “People love Nokia Mix Radio — in fact, many people are amazed that we can offer it for free. When you add in the ability to skip songs and save playlists for offline uses like the tube, you have something unique."

The company said Nokia Music+ will roll out in the next few weeks, but it's unknown at this point when it will come to the U.S.