Windows Phone 7 to hit Europe first, October launch revealed
It's not often that European consumers benefit from a launch ahead of their American cousins, especially when the product in question originates from the other side of the Atlantic, but that's exactly what appears to be on the cards with Windows Phone 7.
That's according to Microsoft COO Kevin Turner, who revealed that the platform is set to make its European debut during October, with its first days on North American shelves set for the following month.
Surging smartphones
The news, which was spotted by Engadget, saw Turner also proclaim that Windows Phone 7's arrival on the scene means Microsoft is back in contention in the mobile market, its appearance coming just as smartphone sales are set to surge.
"This has been tough," Turner said of Microsoft's current fortunes in the smartphone market.
"This is a lowlight, for me, for the company. But, in the October timeframe and the November timeframe October likely across Europe, November across the US we're back in the game.
"There's 200 million smartphones right now being sold. When you think about what is going to happen in the next three to five years, there will be 400 to 450 million sold. More than double the number, and so what an opportunity we have, to really go and make change."