Microsoft confirms WP7 partners, hints at LG Pacific
updated 03:05 pm EDT, Thu July 22, 2010
MS says ASUS, Dell, HTC, LG, Samsung to launch WP7
Microsoft today detailed the partners making Windows Phone 7 devices for launch. ASUS, Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung should be first with smartphones. Senior product manager Greg Sullivan didn't provide many details of the phones to Pocket-lint, but he did unusually reference an LG Pacific, a previously unmentioned device that may be connected to the LG Panther shown in prototype form earlier this year.
Most of the other companies less detail still, but the briefing confirms Dell's work on the Lightning. It could be the only vertical QWERTY slider in the early WP7 lineup and would have a 4.1-inch OLED screen and a five-megapixel camera. HTC is working on the Mondrian and Mozart. ASUS, LG and Samsung haven't given away their plans.
Sullivan stressed that Microsoft and the partners wouldn't insist on country exclusives, as they wanted the devices to reach as many users as possible. he also dismissed fears that it was too late to compete as he expected a new wave of smartphone buyers to be ready by the time WP7 ships.
