It looks like the speculation concerning when and where Microsoft will officially launch their new Windows Phone 7 is coming to an end.
The Microsoft Events homepage now lists an in-person event for next Monday:
Windows Phone 7 Worldwide Launch Event @ the NYC Microsoft Technology Center Monday 10/11/10
Event ID: 1032464589
Monday, October 11, 2010 3:00 PM – Monday, October 11, 2010 4:30 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Time: 2:45 PMWe will provide an insider’s look at Windows Phone 7 and the Microsoft experience it brings to life.
Event Agenda Includes
3:00 – 3:05 – Registration & Refreshments
3:05 – 3:10 – Microsoft Executive Keynotes
3:10 – 3:30 – Windows Phone 7 with Microsoft Products and solutions
3:30 – 4:30 – T-Mobile reps will be present for device showing and their service offering discussion / Microsoft developer architect will demonstrate Windows Phone 7 applications4:30 – Raffle
There is one confusing comment that might lead some to believe that this is not the actual launch though:
Enjoy light snacks, beer and wine while you get hands on for an exclusive showing of T-Mobile powered Windows Phone 7 devices and an early preview of some of our applications that will be available for launch.
So is this really the launch or is it a prelude to the actual launch at some point in the future? Why would Microsoft launch Windows Phone 7 and just have one hardware vendor present to show off devices? I can not imagine Microsoft doing that for such a big event.
Whether this is the real launch or not – the one thing I can say with certainty – this event is already full according to the event page. I guess we will have to watch and see what happens next Monday afternoon.
What do you think – is this it or is there a bigger event to come?