First devices in October, app submission in summer

Jun 26, 2010 10:46 GMT  ·  By
Windows Phone 7 devices to arrive in October-November, the submission of apps to the Marketplace to start before the summer's end
   Windows Phone 7 devices to arrive in October-November, the submission of apps to the Marketplace to start before the summer's end

Microsoft Benelux held a Windows Phone 7 event in the Netherlands this week, where some of the latest development updates were announced, in addition to the showcasing of some Windows Phone 7 prototype devices. It seems that the first handsets running under the upcoming mobile operating system are set to make an appearance on the market in the country sometime in October or November, something that confirms what Microsoft VP Mich Mathews unveiled a few days ago.

The video embedded at the bottom of this article is in Dutch, but the slides that are being projected behind the speaker would provide enough details on what is being said. Not to mention that the already seen LG Panther GW910 Windows Phone 7 device is being showcased at the end of the video. According to a recent post on mobiletechworld, and to most of the latest reports around the Internet, the platform is looking much better than before, something that would suggest it is quite close to being released to manufacturers.

As for the launch of the first Windows Phone 7 handsets in the Netherlands, Maarten Sonneveld, Mobile Communications Business Group Lead for Microsoft, says that November is the most likely release time frame, and that Dutch retailer Coolblue might be the first to bring these devices to the market. The next Microsoft open day event would be held in November, after the first Windows Phone 7 handsets arrive.

In related news, we learn that Microsoft is set to kick off the submission of applications to the Windows Phone Marketplace before the end of the summer. Brandon Watson, Director of Developer Experience for Windows Phone 7, is the one to unveil these plans in a MSDN video (via WMPoweruser), in addition to discussing Microsoft’s strategies aimed at attracting developers on its side. With the first devices expected to arrive in October, and with the Redmond-based software giant set to provide developers with Windows Phone 7 handsets come July, it does not come too much as a surprise that Microsoft would open the Marketplace submissions in a couple of months.