Inspired by the Windows Phone 7 “NoDo” update trick making the rounds this week, Chris Walsh and I have come up with a way to get something even better, an early in-development version of the Mango update. Read and act quickly before Microsoft wises up.
The hack, albeit extremely simple in retrospect, involves overriding the update server which the phone checks to a Microsoft staging server (-int) used for testing. It just so happens the current one is hosting build 7510, an early build of the upcoming Mango release.
Of course not all the features work correctly. For example, Internet Explorer 9 does not work at all. On the other hand, SkyDrive and multitasking appear to work flawlessly. It’s also impossible to test the background download or audio services without any third-party app support.
The update is similar to the NoDo update so it will back up your phone allowing you to revert to NoDo if it’s too unstable for you.
Without a further ado, the directions. Enjoy.
- Edit your HOSTS file under “
%WinDir%\System32\Drivers\ETC\hosts
“ - Add an entry “
updateservices.windowsphone-int.com updateservices.windowsphone.com
“ - Download USAIP and connect to any US-based VPN (ex. USAIP L2TP California)
- Use username “demo” and password “demo”
- Connect your Windows Phone 7 to the PC and start Zune
- Disable WiFi on the phone
- Open “phone” settings on the phone
- Manually search for an update within Zune
- After a few seconds (~15 seconds) disable data connection on the phone
- Enjoy the sweet juicy fruits of your labour
Sweet, Love the way you guys come up with these..
I know it’s April 1st there but it’s not here yet.
Damn you, time zones. Happy (Australian) April Fools day everyone.
Well. I dont know if its an april fools day prank. The fact is that Microsoft realy owns the domain updateservices.windowsphone-int.com, anyone can check this using any of the thousands Whois utilities online.
The real question is. If this is true, its worth updating from an stable build to an apha version?
Anyways, who think is true, just try for yourself.
See below the Whois data
Registrant:
Domain Administrator
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond WA 98052
US
+1.4258828080 Fax: +1.4259367329
Domain Name: windowsphone-int.com
Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com
Administrative Contact:
Domain Administrator
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond WA 98052
US
+1.4258828080 Fax: +1.4259367329
Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
MSN Hostmaster
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond WA 98052
US
+1.4258828080 Fax: +1.4259367329
Created on…………..: 2009-09-18.
Expires on…………..: 2011-09-18.
Record last updated on..: 2010-07-04.
Domain servers in listed order:
ns2.msft.net
ns3.msft.net
ns1.msft.net
ns4.msft.net
ns5.msft.net
Any problems we should know about ahead of time, with the early build ?
Damn is an april first over there….
Is this an April 1 joke?
Via @LongZheng on Twitter: The Windows Phone 7 team called off the assassins after I reminded them the date. (cc: @BrandonWatson) – http://twitter.com/#!/longzheng/status/53628659793281024
Worked for me! The new search button and all! It’s a pity I can’t browse the web anymore though :-/
You guys have ruined it. If you know it’s an April Fools’ joke, just don’t write any comments.
Far out, you’re all the life of parties I bet.
Is this an Indian or an Aussie Mango?
This is a April fool’s day joke. Its a HOAX guys. Verified, go on, nothing to see here.
Very cool! 😉
今天是愚人节,没有多少人相信!!!
darn, I fell for it. Juice all over the phone. Can’t typy anymre, kyboard al gooed up…
In other words, you f….. yourself, right there. Didn’t have to say it myself, you did that for me. 😉