Microsoft is announcing that Windows Phone 7 has reached its “technical preview” milestone. Developer partners will now have the chance to test the upcoming smartphone operating system, due later this year. The announcement comes a week after Microsoft released its Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta, which can be used to construct apps and games for the platform.
No. Although Microsoft produces the Zune HD – a very close relative of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft has no plans to scrape together a phone of its own. The usual alliance of Microsoft partners, including Samsung, LG and Asus will produce the actual hardware.
Microsoft has, however, ratcheted down new restrictions on its partners, which will likely keep the first crop of phones to a more consistent quality than the scatter-shot selection of hardware we remember (not so fondly) from Windows Mobile.
Yes, Windows Phone 7 does have a fight on its hands. Microsoft is a distant third in the smartphone landscape. Currently, the space is being dominated by RIM — with Android (Google) nipping at Microsoft’s market share.
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