Introducing Windows Phone 7
Microsoft has hit the ground running with Windows Phone 7, launching no fewer than 10 handsets across 30 countries and more than 60 mobile operators.
The company's "first wave of Windows Phone 7 handsets" will first launch in Europe and Asia on October 21st, followed by a US rollout on November 8th.
For UK consumers, a selection of five unique handsets will be made available from device makers HTC, LG and Samsung.
- HTC HD7 - 4.3in, 5 megapixel camera, 16GB memory (exclusive to O2)
- HTC 7 Mozart - 3.7in, 8 megapixel camera, 8GB memory (exclusive to Orange)
- HTC 7 Trophy - 3.8in, 5 megapixel camera, 16GB memory (exclusive to Vodafone)
- LG Optimus 7 - 3.8in, 5 megapixel camera, 16GB memory (exclusive to Vodafone)
- Samsung Omnia 7 - 4.0in Super AMOLED, 5 megapixel camera, 8GB memory (Orange)
- Samsung Omnia 7 - 4.0in Super AMOLED, 5 megapixel camera, 8GB memory (T-Mobile)
- Samsung Omnia 7 - 4.0in Super AMOLED, 5 megapixel camera, 8GB memory (Three)
In keeping with Microsoft's required specifications, each handset will offer an 800x480 display resolution, a 1GHz Qualcomm processor or better, and six dedicated hardware buttons; back, start, search, camera, power/sleep and volume up and down.
We've yet to see the handsets appear at the respective operator store fronts, but Orange tells us the HTC 7 Mozart will be available for free to customers who take out a £35 per month 24 month price plan, whilst the Samsung Omnia 7 will be free to customers who sign up to a £40 per month, 24 month price plan.
Stay tuned as we'll be bringing you some hands-on coverage later today. In the meantime, hit the Microsoft press release below for all the finer details or skip right on through to the video previews on page two.
Press release: Microsoft and Partners Unveil Windows Phone 7 Global Portfolio