Windows Phone 7 users are in for some bad news as, per reports, Nokia has confirmed that the highly anticipated Windows Phone 7.8 update will not be available until 2013.

While most fans may question the latest news, considering that the WP7.8 update has already started going out, the truth of the matter is that the update was a targeted release to bring it to certain pre-production handsets.

This targeted release was probably done in order to give Nokia some time to polish up the update prior to its public release, which the company explains won’t be happening until early next year. However, with news of this highly limited Windows Phone 7.8 distribution gaining ground for quite some time, Nokia wanted to speak up about the current situation with the distribution so that users didn’t end up too disappointed when their updates failed to arrive.

The company, per a WMPoweruser report, has revealed to tweakers.net “that the update was in fact only rolling out to pre-production handsets, as may be found in the hands of journalists and developers. Those who purchased the handset via retailers will only get the update early next year.”

"We react to this, because otherwise people will be disappointed and sit waiting for the update," said spokeswoman Stella Jansen.

Windows Phone 7.8 brings several new features to the forefront, including the redesigned home screen with live tiles with adaptable sizes. Moreover, the Bing wallpaper on the lockscreen is now available alongside themes arriving in a host of different colors. Although the firmware is via Navi Firm and Nokia Care Suite on the phone, which is required to flash the device, that, however, is not the official way to set the update feature.

This is new information related to a Nokia-based WP7.8 update after it was reported that Windows Phone 7.8 ROMs had popped up on Navifirm for the Nokia Lumia 510, 800, and 900, making users believe that the official roll out could be just days away.

It was also stated that out of the three phones, the Lumia 800 was the first one to officially receive the Windows Phone 7.8 update.