AT&T To Be the Exclusive Provider of Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Models

Microsoft is holding an event in just over a week in which it is expected to unveil the first devices running Microsoft Windows Phone 7.

All the models being announced are headed for AT&T, as this carrier is supposedly going to be the exclusive U.S. provider of this new operating system. It's not clear how long this agreement will last -- details on a Windows Phone 7-based device for T-Mobile have leaked out.

There will be three AT&T smartphones announced at the Oct. 11 event, from HTC, Samsung, and LG. Exactly which models are going to be unveiled is not yet known, but a good possibility is the LG C900.

Even though the official unveiling is happening in mid October, AT&T reportedly isn't going to launch its first Windows Phone 7 devices until early November. The timing for this event apparently has more to do with what's going on in Europe -- there will be an event in the U.K. on the same day, and carriers in several European countries are supposedly set to introduce smartphones with Microsoft's new OS shortly thereafter.

More about Windows Phone 7
Despite its name, this new smartphone operating system has little in common with its predecessors. It will have a completely different user interface and won't run applications written for the earlier versions nor will any current models be upgradeable.

Its focus has moved to consumers, and its UI emphasizes social networking, pictures, games, etc. It has also been redesigned to be controlled with a fingertip.

Just about the only significant similarity between old and new is that both include Microsoft Office Mobile and support for synchronizing with Microsoft Exchange.

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