The ink may still be wet on the last round of rumours surrounding potential Windows Phone 7 updates, but that hasn't stopped attention turning to an even bigger refresh due for next summer.

ZDNet reports that updates at the start of the year – which, amongst other things, will include cut and paste – could well be followed by a major, more fundamental update to the platform in either August or September.

Update on the updates

Internally dubbed 'Mango', the site claims the update will add Silverlight runtime and HTML5 support to the OS, with the package as a whole so bulky, Microsoft is considering branding it Windows Phone 7.5.

"To be clear, none of this information is being confirmed by the Softies," concludes ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley in her report.

"I asked Microsoft for comment on its Windows Phone 7 CES plans, as there is talk that CES might be the launching pad for the first Verizon and Sprint CDMA Windows Phone 7 phones.

"I also asked about Microsoft's plans for updates, including Mango, in 2011. I received no response."

The site also claims Windows Phone 8 - known as 'Apollo' - is on track to ship in late 2012.

[source: ZDNet]