The cat is finally out of the bag. After all the speculation, it has been confirmed that the next version of Windows Mobile – Windows Phone 7 – will be released on October 11. The Microsoft website talks of a “Preview Event for Windows Phone 7 @ the NYC Microsoft Technology Center” from 3 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada). Attendees (“Microsoft Customers Only Please,” specifies the site) will “Enjoy light snacks, beer and wine” while they get “hands on look at a Windows Phone 7 device and an early preview of some of our applications that will be available for launch.” Sounds interesting. We are keeping our ears cocked, especially to find out which handset that is.
The Windows Phone 7 launch is a non-event. We’ve seen the OS, which was first demonstrated last February, and has been extensively reviewed since. We’ve seen the handsets, which Microsoft has drip-fed the press with planned “leaks”. There is not going to be very much new information, so it’ll all be a bit ho-hum.