By Stephen Schenck | October 26, 2011 4:41 PM
We learned of plans to include wireless internet sharing in Windows Phone Mango very late along in its development cycle. It emerged that the base functionality would be built-in to the operating system, but device manufacturers would need to provide hardware-specific drivers to enable existing handsets to take advantage of the feature. Analysis of the wireless chipsets used in WP7 phones suggested that with the exception of the Dell Venue Pro (and even that denial’s not looking like such a sure thing anymore), all existing WP7 models should be capable of hotspot mode, and were just waiting for their drivers to arrive. The latest such update is going out currently, bringing wireless internet sharing to LG’s Optimus 7.
We’ve confirmed that Optimus 7 owners in Europe are receiving Zune notifications of available updates for their phones. Post-installation, you’ll find your Optimus 7 reporting updated firmware and radio versions, and the eagerly-awaited Internet Sharing option in your phone’s settings.
While we haven’t heard reports of the update arriving for users in other regions, hopefully this new WiFi driver will be finding its way to Optimus 7s everywhere where carriers allow.
