Microsoft unveils new mobile platform, Windows Phone 7

Charlotte Raab Yahoo! News 10/11/2010 18:51

Microsoft unveiled a new mobile phone operating system Monday in a bid to claw back lost market share from the iPhone, Blackberry and devices powered by Google's Android software

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer took the wraps off nine mobile phones powered by Windows Phone 7 (WP7) during an event held at a loft in New York's Chelsea neighborhood.

Ballmer said more than 60 mobile operators around the world will offer the devices, made by South Korea's Samsung and LG Electronics, Taiwan's HTC and US computer giant Dell, in more than 30 countries.

"We have built a different kind of a phone," Ballmer said. "We set out to build a phone that was thoroughly modern."

Ballmer said Microsoft is emphasizing personalization and customization with WP7, the first significant update to its mobile operating system in 18 months

"We focused on the things that real people really want to use," he said. "We really put our energy into bringing together the things that you love."

Smartphones powered by WP7 will run email from various services -- not just Microsoft's Hotmail -- integrate calendars, contacts and social networks and allow for documents to be viewed, edited and shared using Microsoft Office.