One of the benefits of the new Windows Phone 7 smartphone OS is that all phones will be updated at the same time. Unlike the Android platform, where software updates are few and far between with no standard upgrade path, WP7 has a Mac connection app that’s available for free through the Mac App Store. All WP7 devices can be updated using this app and it’s a fairly painless process.

To begin the software update process, open the Windows Phone 7 Connector app found in the Dock or Applications folder. (This is a third-party app and must be downloaded from the Mac App Store first).

1 Open WP7

Connect your Windows Phone to your Mac using the included USB cable that came with your phone. Your phone should appear in the WP7 connector window.

2 Connect Device

Once your device appears in the window, click on the Device Options… button in the middle of the screen.

3 Device Options

This will open the preferences window. Here you can rename your Windows Phone device, adjust sync settings, delete all content from your device, etc.

4 Preferences Window

Towards the bottom of the window, click on the Check for Update button.

5 Check for Update

The app will now check for any software updates available for your phone. The progress bar will be visible at the bottom of the window.

6 Checking

If your phone is up to date, a window will pop up saying Your Phone is Up to Date. If an update is found, select Update and your phone will automatically be updated.

7 No Update found