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Microsoft preps Windows Phones for first update

In preparation for next month's first software update for Windows Phone 7, Microsoft issues a pre-software update that prepares the phone for it.

Josh Lowensohn Former Senior Writer
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
Josh Lowensohn
The Windows Phone 7 update screen.
Josh Lowensohn/CNET

Microsoft today began sending out an update to Windows Phone 7 devices that prepares them for the first of two software updates that will add new features.

"This first update for Windows Phone is designed to improve the software update process itself," the company said on the Windows Phone blog. "So while it might not sound exciting, it's still important because it's paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates to your phone, such as copy and paste or improved Marketplace search."

The software update that will bring those new features is slated for arrival in early March, witha much larger update adding things like multitasking, and a much-improved browser arriving a few months later.

In order to update their phones, users need to plug them into a computer with the latest version of the Zune software (or theMac Connectorsoftware if they're on a Mac) to get the update started.

Microsoft says it's rolling out the update message to phones in waves, so users who have not yet gotten the notification will see it sometime today.