14 DAY TRIAL // The first mobile phones running under Microsoft's upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system are expected to hit the shelves sometime in the fourth quarter of the ongoing year, most probably starting with November, though enthusiasts certainly hope for an October release. While the possible release date is known in a way, and the same applies to some of the markets where Windows Phone 7 devices should be released, it still remains to be seen which carriers would launch such handsets during the ongoing year. When it comes to the US market, is seems that AT&T would be among those carriers which already committed to the OS.
The wireless carrier is said to be hard at work with getting ready to receive the first batch of mobile phones running under Microsoft's forthcoming operating system. According to a recent article on Engadget, the second image attached to this story shows a “sheet of AT&T retail signage that's being sent out for a July 24th store overhaul.” Although the arrival of these materials would suggest that AT&T might release the first Windows Phone 7 devices earlier than originally previsioned, chances for that to happen are rather slim.
Microsoft does not have a great record at pushing new products to the market earlier than announced officially in the first place. On the contrary, the software giant is better known for delaying such launches, and having Windows Phone 7 devices on shelves before the officially announced fourth quarter release would come as a surprise. However, it is possible that AT&T is only trying to put things in order for the launch that would take place in the beginning of the next quarter, especially since no official details on this are available for now.
Previous reports (via WMPoweruser) on the matter suggested that AT&T would indeed aim at making Windows Phone 7 devices available for purchase on its airwaves, even if no specific details on when that would happen were unveiled. The exclusive distributor for Apple's iPhone device on the United States market does not want to be left out from the Windows Phone 7 party, and held a series of seminars for prospective Windows Phone 7 developers, during which Microsoft unveiled that AT&T is a premier launch partner.
