Today was the long-awaited launch of the Microsoft Windows Phone 7. Keynoting the launch was Steve Ballmer. AT&T's Ralph de la Vega was also present and explained their commitment to Microsoft and Windows Phone 7. Ballmer proudly exclaimed that they will have 60 mobile operators in over 30 countries to reveal the first Windows Phone 7 handsets. A broad selection of phones will begin shipping in holiday 2010 with more arriving in 2011.
There will be 9 phones available, from HTC to Dell to LG.
One of the main points that Ballmer and de la Vega kept driving was that "Windows Phone 7 is your phone." The mobile OS is designed to keep you in touch with the people who mean the most to you. If Microsoft designs a marketing campaign around that -- "Windows Phone 7 is your phone" -- Ww will not only see Microsoft do well this holiday but perhaps also take back a few percentage points from iOS and Android.
The US will see the first Windows Phone 7 on November 8, 2010. It will be the Samsung Focus on AT&T for $199.99; which will sport a Super AMOLED display. Other handsets will follow a few weeks after; like the LG Quantum for $199.99 and the HTC Surround for $199.99 -- both on AT&T.
- Microsoft's deep portfolio of products and services, such as Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Office Mobile, Zune, Windows Live and Bing
- The customizable Start screen with Live Tiles -- with real-time updates from the Web such as news, appointments or the status of friends
- Zune, which allows you to play music by syncing wirelessly from your PC, stream and download from the Windows Marketplace.
- Dedicated search button to help you find what you need -- contacts, music from the Market Place, e-mails or anything from the Web
- The Windows Live solution, which helps people manage pictures, Windows Live calendar, Office OneNote Mobile and more.