New Windows Phone 7 Developer Tools released with copy and paste support

By Tom Warren, on 4th Feb 11 6:35 pm with 21 Comments

Microsoft shipped a new version of its Windows Phone 7 developer tools on Friday.

Speaking on the PPCgeeks podcast, Microsoft Director of Developer relations Brandon Watson revealed the company has now passed a million downloads of the tools. The update includes API access to copy and paste for developers to test their applications. Microsoft will ship a Windows Phone 7 platform update to end users shortly that will include the highly anticipated copy and paste feature. Watson revealed that developers will not need to edit their application to enable copy and paste support. Windows Phone 7 developers can download the latest tools at Microsoft’s download site.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 update will include the following:

Copy and Paste

Microsoft describes its implementation of copy and paste as simple and intuitive:

“In many cases you just tap a word, slide your finger to highlight any additional text, then tap the Copy icon. To insert this text in a message or app, just tap the spot where it should go, then tap the Paste icon.”

An early build with copy and paste functionality was distributed to Samsung Taylor Windows Phone 7 developer devices in early December. The update is available in Zune and bumps the build number of Windows Phone 7 up to 7.0.7338.0. Retail devices currently run 7.0.7004.0. A video showing how copy and paste works in Windows Phone 7 was leaked too.

Windows Phone 7 copy and paste

Faster apps and games

Microsoft is promising performance improvements in its first Windows Phone 7 update:

“Nobody likes to wait. That’s why we’ve whittled down the time it takes for apps and games to start up and resume. It’s all part of our focus on getting you to the things you love, easier and faster.”

One of the main criticisms of third party applications is speed and performance. Microsoft is expected to significantly improve the amount of time that it takes to open applications and resume them. The update won’t include full multi-tasking functionality but it will improve the experience of switching between applications.

Better Marketplace search

Microsoft is making improvements to the Marketplace. Users will be able to search the Windows Phone Marketplace and find the games and applications they require more quickly than before:

“We’ve streamlined Marketplace search to make it easier to find specific apps, games, or music. Press the Search button in the apps or games section of Marketplace and you’ll see only apps or games in the results.”

Microsoft is staying quiet on the release date for its first update but has promised there will be a number of upcoming improvements to Windows Phone 7 in the coming months. WinRumors understands that Microsoft has finalizing the first update and is expected to push it to devices in February providing carriers approve it.

  • Grannyville7989

    Sounds like it’s very close.

  • http://www.withinwindows.com Rafael R.

    How about a link to the tools?

  • GP007

    It does sound very close, a updated build of the tools going out to devs should be the clear sign that we’re not that far off. They might do what people expected and release it at MWC unless some carriers want to be asshats about it. This is also why I went ahead and paid extra for a unlocked phone and not one through some carrier.

    • http://twitter.com/efjay01 Ef Jay

      The test will be to see if you actually do get it quicker than carrier branded handsets. I’m guessing you wont since MS stated they want updates to go out simultaeneously, which could mean any carrier caused delay would affect unlocked devices as well.

    • GP007

      True, but I think that’s also why we’re still waiting for this first update right now, damnit, I bet it’s AT&T already.

  • SuNcO

    Can somebody confirm that the “copy/paste on 3rd party apps only works on textbox” ?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WSBMDBBSVOKD7NYOCTSXR6Z57U Joel

    How bout giving the rest of us the first wp7 update MS? This is honestly getting a little ridiculous. Impatiently waiting… Still…

    • http://twitter.com/barnyardtech Bryon Barnard

      Shipping to devs first lets them test their apps. Won’t be long now till we all get the update!

  • Anonymous

    I’m confused.. released or will release? :)

    • Anonymous

      The answer is “will release” – update isn’t out yet

    • Anonymous

      nvm.. training kit link.. meh

    • Leon Zandman

      That’s the Training Kit, not the Developer Tools update.

      This article is just completely bogus linkbait. They haven’t yet been released, it is supposed to be released later today.

  • Niniu2000

    Any word on when well be able to customize ringtones?

    • Grannyville7989

      I want to use the Windows 95/98 Tada.wav as my text alert. That should make a few of the anti-Microsoft crew on my Computer Science course to cringe as their ears bleed :-)

      WOLVERINES!!!

  • Steve Jobs

    Go Windows Phone 7!

  • http://www.chakkaradeep.com Chaks

    one thing i really need is the ability to search the phone (apps, contacts, mails, etc., etc.,), something like what iPhone has. Having a dedicated search button that searches just the WWW isn’t that useful.

  • Jayborseth

    Copy and paste is now enabled on Windows® Phone 7 in the following controls:

    System.Windows.Controls.TextBox

    System.Windows.Controls.PasswordBox

    Text input fields within the Microsoft.Phone.Controls.WebBrowser control.