Microsoft Announces Windows Phone 7 Launch Partners

From PC World: Microsoft announced the Windows Phone 7 OS for handheld devices on Monday, taking a step forward in the company's efforts to strengthen its position in the still-growing smartphone market. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the first phones to run the OS, and named the network operators that will distribute them.

"We wanted the Windows Phone to be delightful across a range of hardware devices, through a range of scenarios, and a [range] of different software experiences," Ballmer said.

Microsoft wanted to make Phone 7 "always delightful" and "wonderfully mine," he said, emphasizing the way that users will be able to customize the user interface. "Everyone should look at the phone and represent themselves on the device," he said.

The company has partnered with many phone makers and wireless carriers to bring Windows Phone 7 handsets to consumers in early November, Ballmer said at the OS launch event in New York City.

Sixty mobile operators will be offering it in 30 countries, Ballmer said.

The operators include Amrica Mvil, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Movistar, O2, Orange, SFR, SingTel, Telstra, Telus, T-Mobile USA and Vodafone.

Nine different phones, from HTC, Dell, Samsung and LG Electronics, will be available in the U.S. in November.

The phones will be able to take video, access social media applications, gaming and access streaming movies and TV shows, Ballmer said.

View: Article @ Source Site