Finnish phone giant Nokia has revealed that the Windows Phone 7.8 update is beginning its rollout to smartphones powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) platform. Lumia 900 (review), 800 (review), 710 (review), 610 (review), and 510 owners are now able to bring a host of new features to their respective devices, whilst also kitting their phones out with the look and feel of the Windows Phone 8 Start- and lock screens.

As on the latest edition of Redmond’s smartphone platform, Lumia smartphone owners will be able to personalise their devices even further via Windows Phone 7.8, by making use of resizable live tiles for the Start screen, new lock screen options and an extended selection of OS theme colours.

The Espoo-based firm stated that update notifications should have started appearing for Windows Phone Mango-running Lumia owners with an unlocked phone. Networked-locked devices will receive update notifications for operator-approved software as of this month.

A message will appear on the smartphone informing users to download the update. To ensure that software update notifications are enabled, go to Settings > Phone Update > Notify me when new updates are found. Lumia owners need to connect their smartphone to an internet-connected PC and make use of Zune for PC or the Windows Phone app for Mac to update their device’s software by following the onscreen instructions.

In addition to the new features brought about by Windows Phone 7.8, Espoo will also make a host of new apps available for owners of older Lumia models, who update to the latest version of the OS. These include imaging enhancements including Camera Extras, useful apps such as Contact Share as well as the augmented reality app Nokia City Lens. There are also handy features such as internet sharing and file sharing over Bluetooth.

In related news, Nokia also recently announced Music+, a new subscription-based upgrade to its popular Mix Radio free-to-stream mobile music service that is available to Lumia users.