Microsoft Confirms Windows Phone 7 October 11 Debut, Only Mentions T-Mobile
A handset running Windows Phone 7
For one reason or another, a high number of people are waiting for the release of Windows Phone 7. While it probably won’t be able to compete with more popular products such as Android or iOS, Windows Phone 7 strikes a lot of curiosity in some smartphone enthusiasts. Based on the multiple rumors spread throughout the past month or so, the operating system is supposed to make its debut during an event that will take place on October 11. Less than 10 days before that data, Microsoft has finally confirmed these plans.
Engadget has recently discovered an event that’s to take place on Monday, October 11 at 3:00 PM on the company’s website. It will take place in New York City and apparently it will also represent the moment when Windows Phone 7 finally gets to meet its audience. Microsoft’s Windows Phone Solutions Strategist, Hemang Patel mentions on the website, which you can find here, that “I would like to personally invite you to attend an exclusive Windows Phone 7 Worldwide Launch event for our customers: Monday, October 11, 2010 from 3 pm – 4:30 pm, Microsoft Office New York , NY, Microsoft Technology Center, MTC Envisioning Center”. He added that “We will provide an insider’s look at Windows Phone 7 and the Microsoft experience it brings to life.”
While previous rumors indicated that the Windows Phone 7 launch might take place in other locations (specifically countries), it looks like the Redmond-based company decided to keep things in the US. Even though some people believed that AT&T would hold exclusive rights over handsets running the new OS, it looks like T- Mobile will be a part of the launch as well. The official invitation the event also reveals that a T-Mobile device will be showcased, whereas AT&T is not mentioned anywhere at all. People who will be attending the event will get a change to be part of a “hands on for an exclusive showing of T-Mobile powered Windows Phone 7 devices and an early preview of some of our applications that will be available for launch” the description for the event mentions.
All of Microsoft’s handset manufacturing partners will be present for the debut of WP7 on the market. They include HTC, Samsung and LG which are also said to present their own Windows Phone 7 running devices. So, judging by how accurate the October 11 release rumors were, it might be somewhat safe to say that all of the handsets unveiled on this occasion should hit the US stores in the first couple of weeks of November. The only question I’m personally left with is whether both AT&T and T-Mobile will start selling the handsets, or just one of the two of them will. Releasing phones only on T-Mobile seems like a pretty bad move from Microsoft’s part because AT&T is considerably more widespread. Also, up to this point most of the advertised phones seemed to be destined for AT&T, so I’m guessing people will be able to find Windows Phone 7 handsets in both AT&T and T-Mobile stores.11
