For months, Microsoft executives have been talking about the big bet the company is making on mobile with Windows Phone 7. They readily acknowledge that the company has been asleep at the switch with previous forays in the mobile arena, and analysts describe the launch of the new operating system as a make-or-break moment.
Now, it’s here. Microsoft formally launched Windows Phone 7 this morning in New York, unveiling a host of new smartphone devices that will run on the operating system, available from carrier partners T-Mobile and AT&T.
Enterprise Mobile Today has the details on Microsoft’s launch, runs down the phones, and looks ahead to the longer-term rollout schedule.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer officially launched Windows Phone 7 today, with the first smartphones running the do-or-die new mobile operating system available in the U.S. in three weeks on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
At an understated rollout in New York, Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Ballmer and AT&T (NYSE: T) Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, showed nine Windows Phone 7 handsets from four manufacturers — LG, HTC, Samsung and Dell. All of the new phones use Qualcomm’s (NASDAQ: QCOM) Snapdragon processor.