It's not often that a company reveals how long it plans to officially support different versions of its mobile operating systems, but that's precisely what Microsoft has done on its website. The Redmond firm has posted up some product lifecycle information for both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8, revealing the start and end dates for its mainstream support plans for both OSes. Both support windows are 18 months long, with Windows Phone 7.8's lifecycle running from Feb. 9, 2013 through Sept. 9, 2014, and Windows Phone 8's support period lasting from Dec. 14 2012, through July 8, 2014. As is usually the case with mobile phone software, Microsoft notes that update availability will vary by carrier, device and hardware capabilities.
While the end of a product's support lifecycle isn't likely something that an owner of said product wants to hear about, it's nice to see Microsoft being open about its plans for Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8. Exactly what kind of updates that those devices receive through mid-2014 is still up in the air, but the rumor mill claims that WP8 folk can expect a couple more Portico-like updates this year, after which it's expected that Microsoft will release a more substantial Windows Phone Blue update. What do you Windows Phone folk think of Microsoft's 18-month support cycle for 7.8 and 8? Are you glad to hear that your OS will be supplied with updates through mid-2014 or do you think that that flow of new software should go on for a bit longer?
