Windows Phone 7: Microsoft confirms launch partners

Dell, Asus, Samsung, LG, and HTC all coming to the party

21 July 2010 12:35 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Microsoft has confirmed the hardware partners that will be launching Windows Phone 7 handsets, at a one-to-one briefing with Pocket-lint.

Although the company still wouldn't be drawn on any specific dates for the launch of the new mobile phone operating system, beyond some time in the "Holidays", it was happy to tell us who was making the devices for day one sales.

Greg Sullivan, senior product manager for Microsoft, told Pocket-lint that we could expect handsets from Dell, Asus, LG, HTC, and Samsung at the launch later this year.

It confirms certain former rumours.

We always thought Dell would be launching a Windows Phone 7 device, the Dell Lightning. And HTC exclusively confirmed to us that it was also launching a Windows Phone 7-powered handset too.

In our meeting, Sullivan referenced an LG Pacific, possibly a renaming of the LG Panther doing the rounds, but refused to be drawn further.

Microsoft is using a Samsung device for developers to preview and work with the new OS, but has categorically stated that Samsung isn't releasing the handset (pictured) in that form.

That's five launch handsets, some of which, Microsoft has already confirmed, will include a QWERTY keyboard, as well as a full touch screen experience.

Sullivan also confirmed to Pocket-lint that the operating system would not be exclusive to any one operator in the UK or the US.

"We want as many people as possible to be able to get it", Sullivan told Pocket-lint.

It's a strategy that Microsoft believes will bring it success. Sullivan told us that Microsoft believes it can quickly leapfrog operating systems like Palm's webOS, Nokia's MeeGo and Symbian platforms, Qualcomm's Brew MP, and Samsung's Bada, to become one of the top four operating systems on the market. It hopes to be pitched in with Google (Android), Apple (iPhone), and RIM (BlackBerry).

"We will offer the best aspects of Android and the best of the iPhone, giving users the flexibility of different form factors, but with the rigidity of apps that are guaranteed to work on every device that is out there", Sullivan told us.

However, when we asked whether or not he was hoping to steal users away from Apple's iPhone, or HTC's Android offering, we got a very different answer:

"By the time we will launch, we won't have to worry about stealing customers from other operating systems, there will a new wave of smartphone users to embrace for us to still be successful".

Brave words indeed.

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Comments

Microsoft is living in some kind of fantasy. It has no idea.

Really. Microsoft claims it will quickly leapfrog Nokia's Symbian, Qualcomm's Brew, and Samsung's Bada. It won't.

For a start, Microsoft's hardware requirements will make Windows Phone 7 more expensive than any of the above systems. But Microsoft's operating system software is unfinished, which will mean it will not sell at a premium price.

For example, Windows Phone 7 has a video camera and a compass, yet applications won't be able to access those because the programing APIs are not finished.

Windows Phone 7 will be a certain failure. Apart from the many shortcomings of WP7 itself, all Microsoft's competitors are hardware manufacturers, with the exception of Google.

Google's Android is the fastest growing phone platform because it is open-source, yet backed with money. That's the secret Microsoft missed. Posted by Jess C., UK
Jess, please save your fanboy open-source zealots comments to Slashdot, where non-sense haters like you rule.

Not only are your comments completely baseless, they are just plain wrong. Windows Phone 7 is a very good product. It is well polished and got really good feedback:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/windows-phone-7-in-depth-preview/

And about that open-source zealotry: I've yet to see a consumer that cares whether their phone is open-source. Only zealots like you. And that's what they said about Microsoft entering netbook market. "Open source will rule! Oh Linux! Windows is a 'certain failure'". Now look what they've done. Posted by Jess Z, UK
UMA allowability is a necessity that must me included with wi-fi or the phone is useless. You must understand. Posted by anonymous-x, USA
"Microsoft is living in some kind of fantasy. It has no idea."

Should be.

"Linux community is living in some kind of fantasy. It has no idea that customers don't give a damn if its open source or not"

Windows Phone 7 is very finished, baring in mind what we see now isn't the final version but very complete as an OS.
Posted by Depth, UK
Keep dreaming Windows lovers. Microsoft has been in the mobile game for almost 10 years and they STILL haven't got it right.

I care if my software is open-source, and many of my friends do as well. The ones who don't care are blind consumers who purchase products based on what they learn from a marketing flyer.

I agree with Jess.
Posted by Howkewlisthat, UK
Then why is the iPhone doing so well if people care about open-source? I'm not a fanboy by any means, nor do I own an Android. I'm waiting for WP7 before I make my choice. As a dev, I do find it a bit boring that I can't code my own apps. But on the other hand, this device looks plain awesome!

I don't think the fact that it's open-source or not will really affect sales to the end-user. Most people buying phones don't care about that (again, look at the IPhone). Posted by Eric, Canada
Android is only successful because Verizon kept making Droid ads that demonstrate how manly it is compared to the iPhone, which makes many iPhone haters buy it. And the Droid phones do take the lion's share of most Android phones.

http://www.gsmdome.com/motorola/motorola-droid-gets-50-of-android-marketshare-very-impressive-feat_11670
(And that was just last December.)

Windows Phone 7 will provide a great alternative with iPhone haters, and those are fed up with Android's Force Close issues and lack of zoomy animations. And if AT&T or Verizon or T-Mo or Sprint market the phone under some attractive name, like "The WIN" or whatever, with an aggressive advertising campaign, WP7 can easily kill Android in one stroke. Posted by PK, HK