Microsoft has announced that it will formally unveil a lineup of smartphones using the revamped version of its mobile operating system on Oct. 11 with at&t data plan services.While the tech giant would unveil the complete range by October, the smartphones would only be made available until November on AT&Ts network.
Microsoft and AT&T are all set to release the Windows Phone 7 smartphones, initially releasing three devices manufactured by HTC, LG Electronics and Samsung. Microsoft would be hosting a high-profile launch for the Windows Phone 7 in New York on October 11.
Microsoft will receive the marketing support of AT&T, which will be the initial exclusive U.S. carrier to sell the Windows Phone 7 smartphones. AT&T plans to sell the devices the week of Nov. 8. Initially, the carrier will offer three handsets—one each made by Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc., and HTC Corp.—as it looks to diversify its portfolio of mobile devices beyond the iPhone.
It has been a long, hard stumble for Microsoft, which boasted a strong early presence in smartphones. The company’s Windows Mobile operating system was commonly found in the smartphones used by the corporate crowd only a few years ago. But the emergence of the iPhone in 2007 forced other smartphone platforms to step up their game, and Microsoft failed to materially update its software and fell behind.
The company would surely have to run on rough grounds to convince developers as well as consumers to make a switch on their platform.
