Finally, someone over in Redmond has spilled the beans as to how many Windows Phone 7 devices have been shifted - over 1.5 million.

The figure was publicly stated by Achim Berg, Microsoft’s vice president of business and marketing for Windows Phones, who said:

"Sales are ramping well as our reputation is growing for offering users a unique experience and are in line with our expectations - especially when compared to other new platform introductions.

"We are pleased that phone manufacturers sold over 1.5 million phones in the first 6 weeks, which helps build customer momentum and retail presence."

It's a big figure for sure, but it's still tiny compared to the sorts of numbers that Apple have managed for the iPhone (the iPhone 4 sold 1.7 million in its first 3 days and there have now been over 73 million iPhones sold worldwide, including 14 million in the time that Windows Phone 7 has been available) or the sorts of figures that Android enjoys (a reported 200,000 devices per day).

Berg stated though, that the figures met with Microsoft's expectations. "We started fresh with Windows Phone 7, and it’s a different kind of phone", he said.

"Measuring for success is more long term than short term. We launched with many of the top mobile operators in the world, and even more in the coming year in 2011. We have 18,000 developers who are developing for our marketplace. It’s just getting better and better".

Berg added that Windows Phone 7 was "just the beginning" for Microsoft's mobile aims and that the tech giant was already "working on updates that will take us to the next level".

"We’re in a good place", he said.

"We are on a path to begin releasing the first of several updates in the next couple of months, and several more mobile operators around the world will introduce Windows Phone 7 on their network in 2011 and we will have a broader portfolio of devices from phone manufacturers at different price points delivering on our commitment of providing customers choice".

Are you convinced that Microsoft has the minerals to catch up in the smartphone race, or is Apple and Google already too far ahead? Give us your thoughts below.