Windows Phone 7 to launch October 21

Microsoft has announced that Windows Phone 7 handsets will launch across Europe on October 21, with hardware manufacturers Samsung, LG, HTC and Dell all confirming models.

“We have a beautiful line-up in this first wave of Windows Phone 7 handsets,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “Microsoft and its partners are delivering a different kind of mobile phone and experience – one that makes everyday tasks faster by getting more done in fewer steps and providing timely information in a ‘glance and go’ format.”

From a gaming point of view, Windows Phone 7 promises to put the power of Xbox LIVE into the palm of your hand with a line-up of game titles from major publishers. In addition to the titles announced earlier this year, EA has detailed the first wave of its games coming to Windows Phone 7 this autumn. As part of Microsoft’s managed portfolio of Xbox LIVE titles, all EA games for Windows Phone 7 will be Xbox LIVE-enabled. This line-up will include Need for Speed Undercover, Tetris and The Sims 3.

With Apple currently dominating the mobile gaming space, Windows Phone 7 has a difficult task ahead if it is to gain any traction in the market. However, with support from the major handset manufacturers, plus a solid line-up of titles pushed through the strong Xbox LIVE brand the chance of success appears much greater than Microsoft’s failed Zune venture.