Taiwan-based mobile phone maker HTC Corporation already announced plans to release new devices based on Microsoft's newly unveiled Windows Phone 7 operating system, yet now a few more details on the matter emerged, including the fact that the company might launch the first such handset before year's end. The company has a wide range of Windows Mobile-based phones available on the market, and it seems that it plans on leveraging its partnership with Microsoft by launching Windows Phone 7 series devices as soon as possible.

According to a recent article on Forbes, HTC Chief Executive Officer Peter Chou said in a recent interview that the handset vendor was 'thrilled' with the changes Microsoft had made in the new platform version. “They're putting in tremendous effort to make Windows Phone 7 very appealing and competitive,” Chou reportedly stated, adding that the first Windows Phone 7 Series handset from HTC is expected to land on the market before 2010 is over.

However, the company will continue to support the existing Windows Mobile 6.5 platform from Microsoft, and Chou said that “Windows Mobile 6.5 and 7 will coexist,” adding that most corporate customers are fond of the older software and that they are likely to continue using it. One of the handsets released by the company with the WM 6.5 OS on board is the HTC HD2, which went on sale at T-Mobile USA on Wednesday, and which registered strong sales during the first day of availability.

A series of Microsoft executives already announced the company's plans to continue the development of Windows Mobile 6.5, and it seems that handset vendor partners will support the Redmond-based software company in its pursue. However, the mobile industry will certainly be looking forward for the first mobile phones powered by Windows Phone 7 to be released on the market, considering that the new OS is expected to enable Microsoft return to the mobile game.