Windows Phone 7.8 updates pushing out for the AT&T Focus 2 and Venue Pro

By George Ponder
last updated

The other day AT&T pushed out the Windows Phone 8862 update for the Nokia Lumia 900 and now they are giving the Samsung Focus 2 and the Dell Venue Pro little attention with Windows Phone 7.8 updates as well.

The update process for the Samsung Focus 2 is rather lengthy and includes four updates that ultimately brings the Focus 2 to the 8862 OS version.  It also includes one Samsung firmware update.  The whole process takes about forty minutes and in the end, the update gives the Focus 2 multiple Live Tile sizes, more theme color choices, and lockscreen support for rotating Bing wallpapers.

Oddly, the Samsung support page (opens in new tab) for the Focus 2 dates the release of the Windows Phone 7.8 update on January 23, 2013.  Either the update flew well below everyone's radar or it took AT&T a while to certify things.

Dell Venue Pro Update

As far as the Dell Venue Pro is concerned, AT&T surprised a lot of people by updating it to Windows Phone 7.8 back in February.  Today, the Venue Pro gets updated with the 8862 update for Windows Phone.  The process includes two updates which are quickly installed and you won't see any firmware changes this go around.

While the updates for the Samsung Focus 2 isn't that surprising, seeing the Venue Pro updated was a little odd giving the age of the device.  Nonetheless, it's nice to see AT&T give these older Windows Phones some attention.  Maybe the HTC Titan lineup will be next.

Thanks, Gurggles and sla83456, for the tip!

George Ponder
George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.

78 Comments
  • Well AT&T is pushing the 7.8 update for all it's WP portfolio, as i got the update on my first gen. Focus too.
  • I have my 1st Gen Focus, its not updating.
  • Well, idk...i plugged my focus to sync some photos and Zune said an update is available, the same as here , but i don't live in USA, i imported the phone in Europe.
    Maybe it's in waves ?
  • Thanks for the clarification of out of country user. Good for you. US probably will get it later.
  • AT&T will eventually release the update and for US i think, doesn't make sense to have the package ready and no to release it ))
    Proof : http://tinypic.com/r/av0shl/5
  • ATT has stopped supporting the original focus long ago. I didn't wait on the update which was absurdly released for the Lumia 900 at this time. Just download the 3rd side uploading updater here it is easier to use than Zune.
     
    http://www.windowsphonehacker.com/articles/want_windows_phone_7.8_now_try_this_easy_tool-01-31-13
  • same here, first gen, no update yet, really hoping its true and ATT has finally decided to push it out ages after Rodgers did it.
  • Use the seven eighter update works fine if ATT ever gets around to it you can update then.
  • Bs that ATT dropped support for Gen 1 focus.
  • AT&T treats their WP people much better than T-Mobile.  I have a prepaid Lumia 710 and T-Mobile has said they will never update  it to 7.8.  
  • Sprint is by-far the worst.
  • Just use seven eighter to force the update...
  • that will not help you with the firmware
  • I used 7eighter on my hd7. AFAIK there was not a firmware update for mine at the time.
  • Use 7eighter
  • Must be nice my old focus collects dust sins the battery messed up on it I even replaced the battery all it shows is a yellow triangle with ! On it
  • Thanks for the props George, and the late post!
  • Lumia 900"" article says 920
  • corrected.  thanks.
  • Np :)
  • Now if we can get some new app love that'll be great.
  • I doubt Windows Phone 7 will get any app love now. I know if I was a developer that decided to make a new app for Windows Phone, I would make it for Windows Phone 8 and above. I have a Window Phone 7 (Samsung Focus Flash--still waiting for update btw) and noticing the apps I want are only for Windows Phone 8. Even though I'm ready to move onto a Windows Phone 8, because it's what I wany anyway. So I'm not expecting any great apps in the future for Windows Phone 7.
  • Hopefully I can update my Titan II soon.... Next phone is definitely gonna be a Nokia, and I'll never look back to HTC. I can care less for any sorry excuse, because in the end, that's all they are. Nokia's support is what any phone manufacturer should be doing, regardless of OS.
  • +7.8
  • I feel exactly the same. Watching Nokia work hard to support their handsets has won me over and when I upgrade from my Trophy it will be to a Nokia. 
  • Since their exclusivity period on the 920 is expiring (see 928, effectively), it looks like AT&T is actually needing to make an effort to appease their users by rolling out the 7.8 update.  Funny coincidence, that.
  • It's more likely that there was a security fix in the update and AT&T finally decided to release the cumulative rollout to ensure the security patches
  • Nope, let's go with ATT is awful at updates.
  • ^^ this
  • If it makes you feel better; but the bottom line is that ATT is better at updating their WP devices, especially Lumia's, than all of the other carriers in the U.S.
  • You're holding AT&T's update delivery efforts to a very low bar. That's like saying that McDonald's works the hardest among fast food chains to deliver a healthful meal. While that statement could very well be true, it's still fast food.
  • No, there were updates with security fixes and revoked SSL certs that have never been delivered to any of AT&T's original three devices.
  • Well, Houdani, technically, ATT released the 7.8 update a few months ago, BEFORE the Lumia 928 was even hinted at being released.  ATT pulled the update due to issues with it.
     
     
  • That is correct. Microsoft bungled the 7.8 upgrade all by themselves.
  • Wow, Dell has better WP support than HTC, lol! I'll update my dvp which is sitting in my drawer.
  • Nah. Dell didn't update their drivers or anything... This was all Microsoft and then AT&T delaying it forever because they didn't want to devote resources until absolutely necessary.
  • How many people are still using the focus? And if they are there probably ready for an update, so update! Windows 8 Is great
  • I am using the focus. I should have not bought it since I saw the lumia 900 and 920. My 2 year contract will end sometime this summer. So by next phone will by the catwalk rumored phone from Nokia. Hope it has 41mp.
  • Would love to, but the 2lb. Lumia 920 was, is, and will always be too heavy. Still waiting on a lighter top of the line phone to be released on ATT. Almost pulled the trigger on the free 920, but after playing with it for an hour for the tenth time, still too heavy!
  • In hand and in pocket, I never notice the weight on my 920.
  • I'm waiting until next week and see what happens before I pull the trigger on a new phone.
  • My wife, its a great phone. I'm on my second 920.
  • I just noticed a week or so ago that Dell made a phone. Would not.
  • The DVP is one of the best first Gen devices
  • And, funnily enough, one of the worst
  • So other phones can't get this update?
  • not YET~
  • No, not unless we can get some attention...even android pays attention to their really old phones
  • Hah, good one.
  • Mmmmmmm, not really
  • WHAT ABOUT HTC RADAR 4G?!
  • HTC is awful when it comes to updates. The Vivid/raider got ics but won't get jelly bean.
  • When will i get an update for my Mozart? i am in the UK and have been waiting for ages. I am on Orange pay as you go.
  • Same here, have HTC Mozart on orange and not had any updates....upgrade due next month and can't wait to get rid of my HTC and move over to Nokia instead.
  • Will probably move to Nokia, if i go on contract again. I still love my Mozart though, i dont care how old it is. Its been a  brilliant phone for me for nearly 2 years. This phone got me hooked for life with the Windows phone O.S.
     
  • True. And the aluminium case is great in terms of durability. Feels like day one even after two and a half years....
  • Does anyone know if the update is released for the Focus S?
  • Waiting for that one myself.
  • I talked to AT&T, Microsoft, and Samsung and all three had no idea what was going on so I manually pushed it to my Focus S. So far so good, no problems with it here. I figured I would just do it since who knows when the update will be available and knowing AT&T I'll be eligible for an new phone by the time the Focus S will get the update.
  • Hopefully it will be soon now that they're starting to release 7.8 for non Nokia devices. I've had 7.8 (albeit a version with issues) since late January and here we are in mid May and my wife still has no 7.8 on her focus S that is still under contract. Unbelievable.
  • I forced 7.8 a few months back on my Focus S but got so fed up with tile issues I restored back to previous version. I want steel grey and three tile sizes back now. hehe Just teased myself is all I accomplished.
  • Unrelated. Coz this is only one time. Can anyone suggest a good free compass app which can run smoothly on a 720. It would be for a real estate agent who would want to know which way a flat would be facing. Thank you.
  • http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=783d6b05-ff95-4042-846c-220ec4748bb0
    Works perfectly on my 920
  • Luckily i was trying a few so this app is there. Thank you,anyway!
  • Hmm...have my old HTC Surround kicking around, no longer developer unlocked. I'll sync it and see what happens.
  • Hmm, so the disconnect trick should work for the focus flash and regular focus?
  • I got it for my l900 a couple of days ago and I really like it. I might hang on to my phone until the catwalk comes out..
  • I updated my Lumia 900 yesterday, and I am having so much fun with the new tile sizes.  I bought my Lumia 900 in November, so it was still very new to me, and with the update, it feels even 'newer' :)
     
    Frankly, even though I planned to get a the new Lumia's that are released in Q42013, unless the camera on it can best my N8, I'm just going to hang onto my Lumia 900.
  • Dvp for tmobile maybe?
  • My att locked dvp isn't showing anything. I tried to see if an update was found, and nothing.
  • My DVP has been stuck at 7.10 (7720) for quite some time I cant get it to recognize any updates.
  • Get the force update. I had to do it because I have tmobile
  • Dvp?
  • Hopefully the LG Quantum gets some 7.8 love too!
  • What about my 1st Gen ATT Focus...
  • We will we get 1314 update for Nokia Lumia 920. In Saudi Arabia.
  • Still waiting for this update for the Focus S on AT&T in the US.  No way am I going to force it with the tile refresh problems that have been commonly reported.
  • Do you guys know the APN for ATT 3G because it doesn't work anymore