Following a barrage of new Windows Phone 7 launches from HTC, Samsung, and others, Microsoft has said that it has started the software update for Windows Phone 7 Mango.

The new update, which is promised to be with all current Windows Phone 7 users by the end of October, will bring with it a number of new features over the current offering.

Microsoft has warned, however, that unlike Apple’s software update that rolls out to everyone in one hit, not every operator and manufacturer will be pushing the update from day one.

That doesn't seem to be the case for the UK however, with both Orange and O2 telling Pocket-lint that they will be rolling out the new update straight away.

Orange has told Pocket-lint that the update will come to Orange WP7 users "in line with their UK timings/ roll out plans in general (for both Orange and T-Mobile)" while O2 has told Pocket-lint that "As soon as Microsoft starts the roll out our customers will start to see it appear."

Vodafone has said:

"We're expecting the Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) update to be made available to all Vodafone UK HTC 7 Trophy and LG Optimus 7 owners over the coming weeks.The roll out is being phased by Microsoft and some Vodafone customers will start to receive notifications of its availability for their device from today. Microsoft is also publishing roll out information on its Windows Phone blog."

Windows Phone 7.5, codenamed Mango, brings some 500 features to the phone operating system including Twitter integration, conversation threads in email, and groups in the people section, amongst others. 

To coincide with the new roll out, Microsoft has announced an overhaul to its Windows Phone Marketplace website with a new look and the ability to buy apps from the website without the need to have Zune installed. That’s going to be welcomed by Windows Phone 7 Apple users who have so far had no way of buying apps from their computer as Zune software isn’t Mac supported. 

First Look: Windows Phone 7 Mango review