Source: Neowin.net - Exclusive: Microsoft set to launch Windows Phone 7 devices on October 21Microsoft will launch a wide range of Windows Phone 7 devices on October 21, Neowin has learnt.
According to sources familiar with the software giants plans, Microsoft will hold several launch events worldwide on October 21 to introduce its latest Windows Phone 7 handsets. Microsoft is planning to hold an open house event in New York City on October 11 where it plans to show off some of the new devices. Devices will hit retail shelves on October 21 in the UK, France, Germany Italy and Spain. Neowin is unable to verify whether devices will be available in the United States on October 21.
Microsoft is planning to partner with a big London based radio station in the UK to promote Windows Phone 7. Orange, a long time Windows Mobile partner of Microsoft's, is also expected to be a close launch partner for Windows Phone 7. If you thought you'd heard a lot about Windows Phone 7 recently then prepare to be bombarded with a major advertising blitz from Microsoft shortly. The Redmond based company is planning to go all out on Windows Phone 7 marketing.
Microsoft recently released the final build of Windows Phone 7 to manufacturing and claimed the company is "ready". Terry Myerson, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Windows Phone engineering said the company is just getting started. "This has been one of the most incredible product development efforts I’ve ever been a part of" said Myerson. Microsoft workers celebrated the RTM news with an iPhone and BlackBerry funeral at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond.
The software giant also demonstrated its support for Twitter and YouTube on Windows Phone 7, features that were absent in preview versions of the OS. Microsoft also announced that Zune services are going international for Windows Phone 7 launch.
Hi there
Too Little Too late.
This is one market where MS was definitely FAR TOO LATE at the party.
So they can introduce their software but who'se really got a Smart Phone that this stuff actually runs on.
So MS - I'd put this stuff back into the box and develop stuff you CAN make money on.
Windows 7 on a smart phone c'mon PLEASE -- a desktop OS isn't even remotely suitable for this type of application.
Cheers
jimbo.
Hi there
competition is fine but REALISTIC competition.
Now Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericcson have sihned up to Android what is realistically left. We have probably Motorola I LIKE their phones but they really are a small Niche player in the phone market so won't generate HUGE revenue for MS even if they did go for Windows Phone.
Marketing a Desktop OS is one thing but trying to break into a market where ZILLIONS of phones are already equipped with Android is NOT going to be an easy sell either for MS or the users of the phones themselves.
I really wouldn't bet the farm on this one making any serious inroads into the phone market in spite of the generally good reception Windows 7 has had.
Zune is another Dinosaur that won't make it either -- this product should have launched about the same time as Apples ITUNES but DRM and other seemingly endless copyright squabbles over what formats could actually be PLAYED on W7 or devices attached to W7 rather left them for DEAD.
My Nokia phone has a built in music player where drag and drop of bog standard MP3 formats (and MP4 for video if I want) doesn't require download hassles of music using proprietary formats which can cause grief if you break the player or want to move stuff to another device.
Cheers
jimbo
They are very late, but I hope they succeed and are competitive. A huge uphill battle for a company that is not used to uphill battles.
Despite the fact that I personally think WP7 is a turkey it WILL sell. You talk about smartphones but the users are not that smart. They want simplicity which is exactly why the iPhone sells in spades.
Reviews on Windows Phone 7 have been pretty positive. I think it may have a chance to compete if Microsoft can market the product well enough. If not...well, we'll probably see more iPhones and Androids here.
Does this mean we can start a windows phone 7 section on these forums?!? lol
Hi there
I think this misses the point.
We have literally ZILLIONS of phones out there all with their OS installed.
Can you realistically see Nokia or whoever suddenly switching mid stream -- the cost of doing this would be HORRENDOUS added to which once users get used to an interface like the iPhone they will want their NEXT model to behave similarly too.
This is totally different to say updating corporate computers from XP to W7.
This has very little difference to do with the EXCELLENCE of the product or otherwise. We've already seen how better products in the past have failed due to poor marketing or they just weren't ready in time.
VHS vs Betamax comes to mind or Minidisc Vs Tape, and there's loads of other examples too.
Cheers
jimbo
Yes but Nokia, Samsung or whoever aren't going to pick this up and just drop Android. Whoever does take it on will probably have both, so the issue of users getting used to a certain interface and then it changing probably wont happen.
You can talk about VHS vs Betamax and all the rest of it, but I think this is slightly different. We are in time now where people will happily just jump ship to the latest thing. If this phone OS can come out and prove itself to be great and a better alternative then it has as much chance to succeed as it does to fail.
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