Sources today supported rumors of a Windows Phone 7 launch on October 11 as Microsoft held a mock funeral for the BlackBerry and iPhone. Tipsters said the unveiling, which coincides with a known mid-October target, would be part of a larger open house event where WP7 would be just one of the offerings on show. CNET was told the phones wouldn't necessarily be available the same day, but the US availability may not be until November.
While the date hasn't been confirmed by Microsoft, the company today marked the recent completion of the mobile OS by holding a joke funeral procession for its rivals. The Bellevue-area gathering was treated as both a parade and a funeral and saw some act as 'pallbearers' for oversized BlackBerry and iPhone devices being carried behind hearses. At various points along the group, vehicles and sign wielders carried signs that WP7 "buries the competition" and even took a brief shot at Android with a warning sign for "Android falling."
Despite the optimism, Microsoft faces a significant uphill battle as WP7 is rebooting Microsoft's mobile efforts and has seen it drop to an all-time low. Along with struggling against more advanced Android and iPhone platforms, Windows Mobile's share has been cut in half partly because loyalists have been waiting for the new platform before jumping back in. The new OS is Microsoft's first with real multi-touch, a mostly accurate web browser and other touches some competitors have known for years.
Other parts of the celebration included zombies, Darth Vader on a motorcycle and a dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (below). Ironically, the photos of the parade taken by Carl J were captured using an HTC Evo 4G, an Android phone that has had stronger success than the Windows Mobile-based HD2 that shares the same basic frame. [via Neowin]
Despite the optimism, Microsoft faces a significant uphill battle as WP7 is rebooting Microsoft's mobile efforts and has seen it drop to an all-time low. Along with struggling against more advanced Android and iPhone platforms, Windows Mobile's share has been cut in half partly because loyalists have been waiting for the new platform before jumping back in. The new OS is Microsoft's first with real multi-touch, a mostly accurate web browser and other touches some competitors have known for years.
Other parts of the celebration included zombies, Darth Vader on a motorcycle and a dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (below). Ironically, the photos of the parade taken by Carl J were captured using an HTC Evo 4G, an Android phone that has had stronger success than the Windows Mobile-based HD2 that shares the same basic frame. [via Neowin]
