Microsoft, Samsung Partner on Windows Phone 7 Devices

Samsung on Friday confirmed that it will launch several Windows Phone 7 devices this year in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

"Samsung's new Windows Phone 7 based smartphones will play a key role to reinforce Samsung's leadership in smartphone market," WP Wong, executive vice president and head of Samsung's product strategy, said in a statement. "The new Windows Phone 7 smartphones will provide an unparalleled entertainment experience on the go."

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Samsung had few details about the Windows Phone 7 phones it might release, except to say that it is making a "long-term commitment to including Windows Phone 7 in its smartphone portfolio." That will include the Windows Phone 7 platform and related application software, Samsung said.

"For years, Samsung has been a key partner in bringing new Windows phones to customers all over the world," said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of Microsoft's OEM division. "Windows Phone 7 is an important release, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration with Samsung on mobile devices and beyond, with our multi-screen strategy."

When those phones will hit store shelves is another story. There have been a variety of rumors about when Windows Phone 7 will officially launch. Microsoft is holding a press conference in Europe on Oct. 11, where several Web sites are expecting the company to finally announce the first Windows Phone 7 devices. The company will also host an "open house" in New York City on the same day, where PCMag will be in attendance.

Neowin, however, insisted that there will be launch events on October 21, while Microsoft observer Paul Thurrott is claiming that Windows Phones will launch in the U.S. on November 8.

A Friday report in The Wall Street Journal said that Microsoft will indeed launch Windows Phone 7 on Oct. 11 with AT&T as its initial, exclusive launch partner. AT&T will offer Windows Phone 7 devices from Samsung, LG, and HTC, which it will start selling the week of Nov. 8, the Journal said.

Samsung, meanwhile, is currently busy with its Galaxy Tab tablet. It was announced Friday that the device will go on sale in the U.K. on Nov. 1, but Samsung has still not released any pricing information about the device.