Ever since Windows Phone 7 was released, the number of available applications has been a serious concern. In addition to having some obvious functionality shortcomings in its initial release, first-generation Windows Phone 7 had very inferior application support compared with its main competitors, Google's Android and Apple's iOS.
The number of applications on the Windows Phone Marketplace still doesn't match those available from the competition; however, you can now find some very good software for use with Windows Phone. In addition, Microsoft has released the first major upgrade for Windows Phone 7: Windows Phone 7.5 (formerly code-named Mango), which, according to Microsoft, provides more than 500 new or improved functionalities.
According to the early feedback from end users, the new Windows Phone OS was worth the wait.
Previous Windows Phone 7 updates didn't bode well for a seamless and efficient upgrade path in the new release. Upgrade timing was very inconsistent for pre-Mango updates, which caused inconsistent customer experiences worldwide. Although some customers were able to install the NoDo and post-NoDo updates in March 2011, others had to wait until July or August. Feedback on the NoDo update process was quite negative.
But Microsoft seems to have learned its lesson. According to Windows Phone 7.5 deployment results in mid-October, things went much better—with the exception of Samsung Omnia 7 devices, which still can't use Windows Phone 7.5, and some limited issues with LG devices. Also, carriers seemed to be much better prepared this time. Most carriers started deploying Windows Phone 7.5 at the same time and didn't cause undue delays.
It's also good to see that even though Windows Phone 7 upgrades didn't go smoothly, developers didn't sit around idly, waiting for Windows Phone 7.5. The Windows Phone Marketplace now has more than 20,000 applications for Windows Phone 7, some of which significantly enhance the user experience.