Microsoft Confirmed Windows Phone 7 Hardware Partners

During a recent interview with Pocket-lint, Microsoft Senior Product Manager Greg Sullivan confirmed that ASUS, Dell, HTC, LG, and Samsung are indeed Windows Phone 7 hardware launch partners. This corroborates previous rumors and leaks suggesting some of the aforementioned companies would be hardware partners. As a matter of fact, we’ve seen a leaked Dell Windows Phone 7 handset called Dell Lightning.

Sullivan did not reveal a specific release date other than a launch around “holidays.” He also stated that the devices will come in different form factors including some with touchscreens only and others with full QWERTY keyboards. Additionally, Sullivan indicated that the new Windows Phone 7 mobile platform will not be exclusive to a certain carrier in the U.S. or the U.K.

When asked whether or not Microsoft is planning to steal iPhone or Android users, Sullivan responded:

“By the time we will launch, we won’t have to worry about stealing customers from other operating systems, there will a new wave of smartphone users to embrace for us to still be successful.”

Sullivan also added:

“We will offer the best aspects of Android and the best of the iPhone, giving users the flexibility of different form factors, but with the rigidity of apps that are guaranteed to work on every device that is out there.”

via Erictric