Mango might not be the next update for users of Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system.  In a blog post the company has come out and said that several handsets will need additional updates (into this we can read patching) to get them working effectively.

Yesterday we started delivering another round of hardware-specific updates to Windows Phones around the world. As I explained last week, these are being sent to specific models—not every phone—and are designed to make targeted improvements to things like battery life, call clarity, or touch responsiveness, depending on the model.

There’s no word yet on what handsets might need patching and exactly what might be wrong with them.  On touch-responsiveness I’ve had complaints from some HTC Mozart users about the screen needing multiple taps on occasion for a tap to work.  The only handset Microsoft mention in their post is the Samsung Focus where there has been a question mark over how ‘updateable’ the handsets really are.

Let me clarify: There is no issue with the updatability of [Samsung Focus] phones

The Mango update has not yet been added to Microsoft’s “Where is my update?” web page but this will be the place to keep an eye on to check when your particular mobile operator will be rolling out the next updates to you.

It is likely that any hardware fixes will come out in advance of Mango so you could find one or possibly even two, if the updater needs updating again, updates for Windows Phone.

It’s also worth noting that before you will be able to install Mango you will need to update your Zune desktop software to a new version that supports the new sync features of the phone update.  This software is still currently in beta though you should keen an eye on Windows Update for it when it is finally announced.