Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones available from 6 October

Microsoft has announced the launch date for Windows Mobile 6.5 and, as expected , it’s in October — the 6th, to be exact. And, of course, it won’t be called Windows Mobile 6.5 — it’ll be the first version of Windows Phone.

The launch means the first Windows Phone smartphones should be on sale from 6 October too, and we can expect to see handsets from HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and others.

Microsoft’s press release doesn’t give much more concrete information than that, but it does reveal that the Windows Marketplace for Mobile and Microsoft My Phone will launch on the same date.

More details after the cut.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile is Microsoft’s app store for its mobile operating system, but unlike the iPhone, Windows Mobile already has a number of long-established online software stores. How this launch will affect those third-party vendors remains to be seen, but since Microsoft is offering a similar deal to developers (most notably a 30% sales commission, which is the same as Apple's cut for the App Store), it could well spell trouble.

My Phone is Microsoft’s cloud service for Windows Mobile smartphones and allows users to automatically back up their handset data to an online server (up to 200Mb) and access certain information through any web browser. The service is  free with Windows Mobile 6.5 Phone, although using it from a handset will obviously incur data charges.

[ Microsoft]

Microsoft to Deliver New Generation of Windows Phones on Oct. 6

Leading mobile operators and phone manufacturers worldwide prepare to introduce an array of sleek new Windows phones.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 1, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows® phones will be widely available at retail stores worldwide on Oct. 6, 2009. The new phones will be the first to feature Windows Mobile 6.5, the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile phone software, and will deliver new customer experiences through an improved, easy-to-use user interface, better browsing capabilities and access to valuable services, including Windows Marketplace for Mobile and Microsoft My Phone.

“A Windows phone gives people a single phone that works for their whole life, keeping them connected to the people and information they care most about by harnessing the power of the PC, phone and Web,” said Todd Peters, corporate vice president of the Mobile Communications Marketing Group at Microsoft.

Industry Players Rally Behind Windows Phones

Partners from around the globe are committed to updating or expanding their portfolios to include phones with Windows Mobile 6.5.

• In North America: Mobile operators AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint, TELUS and Verizon Wireless, and phone manufacturers HP, HTC Corp., LG Electronics, Samsung and Toshiba Corp.

• In Europe: Mobile operators Orange, Deutsche Telekom AG and Vodafone Group Plc, and phone manufacturers Acer, HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba

• In Latin America: Mobile operator TIM Brazil, and phone manufacturers HTC, LG Electronics and Samsung

• In Asia Pacific: Mobile operators NTT DOCOMO Inc., SOFTBANK Mobile Corp., SK Telecom, Telstra and WILLCOM Inc., and phone manufacturers Acer Inc., HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba

One Phone for Work and Play

Windows phones are ideal devices for work and play, giving consumers the confidence to get things done with mobile versions of the software they recognize and expect from their PCs. The redesigned Internet Explorer Mobile browser includes a new engine and built-in Adobe Flash Lite support for better rendering and completion of tasks, so it’s easy to do more from a phone, such as check in for a flight, get directions or pay bills while on the go. Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile delivers a familiar, consistent e-mail experience across the PC, phone and browser, while Microsoft Office Mobile allows customers to open and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents right from their phone. With Windows Live on their phones, users can keep track of friends in one place, no matter which social networking sites they belong to — Facebook, Twitter or MySpace Windows Live.

Powerful Mobile Services

Windows phones will debut with two new powerful mobile services so that the information, contacts and applications customers want are always at their fingertips. A wide variety of approved and certified applications will be available for direct download to Windows phones from Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and an easy return policy lets customers buy with confidence. The free My Phone service allows customers to automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages from their phone to the Web, making it easy to access and manage them from their phone or PC or restore the information in the event of a lost phone.

A Customized Experience, From Keyboards to Widgets

Windows phones give consumers the choice of a broad selection of form factors from sleek, touch-screen devices to full QWERTY keyboards to make it easy to find a phone that fits their needs. Windows Mobile 6.5 provides easy access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Zagat, and an improved, touch-friendly user interface that allows customers to tailor their phone to suit their individual style. With the new version, users can change the look and feel of their phones with designer themes or a personal background and customize their home screen with widgets so the information they need is always easy to find.

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