Microsoft Reveals Five Manufacturers For Windows Phone 7

Microsoft has divulged the names of at least five manufacturers who are planning to offer Windows Phone 7 devices. At the Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference on July 13, Microsoft's mobile senior vice president Andy Lees told attendees that applications in Windows Phone 7 devices will work with "100% consistency" across hardware coming from HTC, Samsung, LG and Dell.

Earlier this week, a new blog post from Terry Myerson, corporate vice president, Windows Phone Engineering, appeared that mentioned Asus, LG, and Samsung as makers of Windows Phone 7 prototype devices as well. HTC, Samsung, LG, Dell, and Asus have been suspected as likely makers of Windows Phone 7 devices, but only recently did Microsoft confirm this via a blog post and comments from Lees.

With Asus on the list, it's possible other small manufacturers could be added to the list as well, but many of the other big phone manufacturers are likely to remain absent. Many experts expect Motorola to be absent from the list of Windows Phone 7 device manufacturers because the company is already producing so many Android devices after renouncing Windows Phone 7's predecessor, Windows Mobile, as a platform. Other manufacturers such as Nokia, Apple, and RIM are also unlikely because they use their own operating systems and hardware. Now that HP has acquired Palm and its webOS, HP is also an unlikely manufacturer of Windows Phone 7 devices.

Rumor has it the Windows Phone 7 devices will be available in November, just in time for the holiday season. Thus far, Microsoft has only confirmed they will ship in time for the holiday season.