Windows Phone Mango Breaks Keyboard, Users Say

The Mango update adds 500 new features to Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, but, according to some users, it does more than that--and not in a good way.

According to posts on a popular tech forum, the update, officially known as Windows Phone 7.5, causes the Windows Phone virtual keyboard to disappear or otherwise act up. "Am I the sole one having this bug after the Mango update?" a user posting under the name Arturobandi asked on a forum maintained by XDA Developers.

Apparently he's not. Numerous other posters on the forum said that they too experienced the problem, and other keyboard-related issues, after upgrading their phones to Mango, which Microsoft released to the general public last month.

"I've seen that issue a few times," said Makman 25. "I think you can rotate the screen to bring up the keyboard as well, but I can't quite remember if that temporarily solved the problem."

[ Want to make your Android phone or tablet into a smarter team player? See 10 Great Android Apps For Collaboration. ]

Another user, JallenAshley, said the problem sometimes occurs while texting. "The keyboard just drops." That mirrored the experience of XDA Developers forum member Kwil. "Definitely seen minimizing of the keyboard while typing. Think it's also registering a tap outside the keyboard area."

Most of the users who complained about the bug were using Windows Phones manufactured by HTC, suggesting that the bug mostly affects that particular brand. One user, however, was using a Samsung-built device.

Microsoft has acknowledged that there may be a problem.

"Customer support is working with the individuals reporting changes to their experience. We are investigating these reports to determine the root cause of any issues users are having," a company spokesperson said.

Microsoft is counting on Mango to help boost Windows Phone sales, which badly trail Google Android devices and Apple iPhones in the smartphone market. Mango adds more than 500 new features to the Windows Phone platform, including multitasking and 4G support.

Users of the current version of Windows Phone 7 need to update their devices through their personal computers. Windows PC users must install the latest version of the Zune software for PCs, while Mac users will need Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac.