Windows Phone 7 Mango update for HTC devices leaked online

Developer forum posts update information ahead of schedule

The code for Microsoft's much vaunted Windows Phone 7 Mango update has been leaked online and can be installed on a range of HTC devices running the fledgling operating system.

The leak was posted on the XDA Developers web site, and contains information on how to update devices to the new code ahead of the official launch for the HTC Pro 7, Mozart, Surround, Trophy and HD7 devices.

V3 contacted Microsoft for comment on the leak but had received no reply at the time of publication.

Analyst Ed Hamilton from Analysys Mason told V3 the leak would be an irritation for Microsoft but ultimately was part of the risk of releasing code to other parts of the ecosystem.

"It's very hard for Microsoft to push out mobile code to developers and operators and not expect something like this to happen - it will be part of its risk assessments," he said.

"However, people are wary of updating their phones and only do so when they have to. You may have a few developers that know what they're doing taking advantage of the leak but most people will wait for the official release."

This is not the first time that Microsoft has failed to keep an update to its mobile operating system under wraps. The NoDo update that provided copy and paste functionality was published online before being officially rolled out.

This caused problems for those who used the unofficial update by rendering devices incapable of receiving future upgrades, an issue Microsoft worked to fix with the developer community.

The Mango update is Microsoft's big shot at overhauling the platform, offering several new features designed to provide an alternative to the current market leaders Android and iOS.

The update provides improved HTML5 integration, faster IE9 operation and multi-tasking, as well as enhanced search for tagging music, and use of the camera function to retrieve information on objects, like Google Goggles.