Microsoft has declared Windows Phone 7 “ready”, and started to ship the software to handset makers and networks.
This process, known as release to manufacturing (RTM), means that Microsoft’s partners will be able to apply their own tweaks and settings to the Windows Phone 7 operating system in preparation for its launch later this year.
Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Windows Phone engineering at Microsoft, published a post on the Windows Phone blog yesterday (2/09/2010) announcing that the work of the internal engineering team was “largely complete”.
Windows Phone 7 had up until now existed in ‘technical preview’ form and remained in testing for an extensive period of time. According to Myerson’s post, the operating system has undergone the most complex testing the company has ever carried out, with nearly 10,000 devices running automated tests every day.
The new mobile OS represents a significant change for Microsoft, as the company seeks to move away from the slow, clunky and much-criticised interface and user experience that has been the hallmark of previous Windows Mobile devices.
Windows Phone 7 features much of the social networking integration and connectivity seen in both Google’s Android operating system and Apple’s IOS platform. Microsoft’s popular Xbox Live service will also be built in to Windows Phone 7, enabling gamers to integrate their online gaming portals with their mobile device.
Multiple Windows Phone 7 devices are rumoured to be in production from various manufacturers including HTC.
Source: Telegraph Tech News
