Ten devices running Microsoft’s new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7, will be available in shops from Oct 21, it has been announced.
HTC, the Taiwanese phone maker best known for its Google Android handsets, is releasing five Windows Phone 7 handsets, with one, the HTC 7 Surround, a US-only device. The remaining four devices – the HTC 7 Mozart, the HTC 7 Trophy, the HTC 7 Pro and the flagship HTC HD7 – will be available on a variety of networks and a choice of contracts and tariffs.
LG has released two Windows Phone 7 handsets, the Optimus 7 and the Optimus 7Q. Dell has also unveiled a Windows Phone, the Venue Pro, while Samsung is launching the Omnia 7, a touchscreen device with a 4in super AMOLED display and five megapixel camera with HD recording.
Handsets running Windows Phone 7
1. HTC 7 Surround
2. HTC 7 Mozart
3. HTC 7 Trophy
4. HTC 7 Pro
5. HTC HD7
6. LG Optimus 7
7. LG Optimus 7Q
8. Dell Venue Pro
9. Samsung Omnia 7
Microsoft hopes its new range of Windows Phone 7 devices will help it compete more closely with Apple’s iPhone and handsets running Google Android.
Windows Phone 7 represents a dramatic departure from Microsoft’s previous mobile operating systems. It is based around the concept of “hubs”, to organise contacts, photos, music, videos and Xbox games, and “live tiles”, which are used instead of icons to keep the user constantly updated about new emails, messages and social network status updates.
Microsoft will embark on a $400 million (£250 million) marketing and promotion campaign for Windows Phone 7, and has high hopes that the platform will help it to claw back market share from rivals such as Apple and Google, as well as Research in Motion, which makes the BlackBerry.
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