Spectators weren't the only ones who came away from Microsoft's Windows Phone Summit in San Francisco with the view that the launch of Windows Phone 7 in 2010 had been a dummy run.

Speaking to FierceDeveloper, Microsoft's senior product manager Larry Lieberman has claimed the forthcoming roll out of Windows Phone 8 – expected this autumn – will be the moment the OS truly arrives on the scene.

Ready to launch

Lieberman branded its launch as a "turning point", adding that "Windows Phone has arrived with this release."

Though the release Windows Phone 8 (or Apollo, as it's also known) means a break with the existing Windows Phone ecosystem – existing handsets won't be offered an upgrade to the new OS due to its base around the Windows kernel – Lieberman believes the opportunities it represents outweigh any negatives.

Indeed, by sharing the same core as Windows 8, Lieberman said developers will be able to efficiently target both platforms with ease, while the addition of in-app purchases will make it easier for studios to monetise their IP on the platform.

Rising interest

Research published by Strategy Analytics seems to back up Lieberman's stance.

The firm's numbers suggests developers who currently don't rate Microsoft's OS are more positive when the prospect of launching apps across Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 is pitched.

"Basically what it shows is the intensity of support amongst naysayers will likely double under such a scenario," said Strategy Analytic's Josh Martin.

Lieberman went on to confirm that Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Huawei will all have Windows Phone 8 devices on the market at launch, with Qualcomm serving up the chipsets.

[source: FierceDeveloper]