Nokia Might Release First Windows Phone 7 This Fall, But It Won't

From X-bit Labs: Nokia Corp. plans to release twelve smartphone models based on Windows Phone 7 operating system next year and four of them are already in development, an analyst revealed on Thursday. The company already has a prototype of a Windows Phone 7 device and that one could be released as early as this autumn, but there are roadblocks for that.

At present Nokia evaluates Windows Phone 7 operating system (OS) using the so-called W7 device that resembles Nokia X7, but is based on Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 (up to 1GHz Scorpion ARM core, Adreno 200 graphics processing unit, 720p video, 12MP camera, integrated 3G, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA support and so on), featuring screen with 800*480 resolution as well as 8MP camera with auto-focus and flash, according to Eldar Murtazin, principal analyst with Mobile Research Group. The company decided to use the already available platform - X7 smartphone, Qualcomm QSD8250 chipset and other components - since it wanted to very rapidly create working prototypes of WP7-powered smartphones to learn peculiarities and behaviour of the operating system.

"This model will be the first to be launched on the market. In fact, it is ready to a certain state, so that in standard form, it could be launched even this fall. But there is a question whether Microsoft will allow Nokia to customize the [operating system] software or will not. [...] Chief executive Elop wants the first [WP7-based] products to appear by Christmas 2011, but most likely they will still arrive by the end of January or February next year," said Mr. Murtazin in a blog post.

As is known, Microsoft Corp. poses rather strict requirements onto the hardware used inside the smartphones powered by its latest operating system. As a result, the first generation of Windows Phone 7 devices from different manufacturers are very similar. By the end of the year Microsoft will release updates to Windows Phone 7 OS and will allow manufacturers to release new form-factors of devices, something that is tremendously needed for Nokia, which is about to sign a strategic relationship pact with Microsoft.

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