Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7

Can Microsoft dent the iPhone and Android phone market share?

Windows Phone 7 models to be launched by all five UK mobile operators for Christmas

Microsoft officially launched Windows Phone 7 today and UK mobile operators unveiled the handsets it expects to have available this Christmas.

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said: "We're 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.”

Windows Phone 7 will be available in a variety of form factors from device makers such as Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung.

Microsoft says there are more than 60 mobile operators in more than 30 countries committed to selling the new devices.

A broad selection of phones will begin shipping for Christmas, with more planned for 2011. Select models will be available from the Microsoft Store and Amazon.

In the UK, O2 will offer the HTC HD7. Orange will offer two phones – the HTC 7 Mozart and the Samsung Omnia 7. Everything Everywhere, the 50:50 venture between Orange and T-Mobile, will also offer the Samsung Omnia 7.

Vodafone will be offering the HTC 7 Trophy and LG Optimus 7, while the smallest UK mobile operator, 3, will offer the Samsung Omnia 7.

All Windows Phone 7 phones will use chip vendor Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor.

Mobile applications will be available via a hub called the Marketplace, but Microsoft said that unlike other smartphones, "they won't be required for the majority of everyday tasks. Our OS is different from the current trend of app-focused phones."

Although a consumer device, Windows Phone 7 can run mobile versions of Microsoft's Office applications, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Word.

Not surprisingly, the software giant is upbeat about its mobile operating system, but the big question is whether it can put a dent in Apple's iPhone market share and the fast-increasing number of mobile devices running Google's Android mobile OS.

Financial analysts at Goldman Sachs recently cut Microsoft’s rating to 'neutral', with mobile cited as a problem in its market struggles.