HTC, Dell, Samsung, LG Show Off Windows Phone 7 Devices

by Nicholas Kolakowski

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduces Windows Phone 7 during the New York City presentation.

Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T’s Mobility and Consumer Markets group, introduced his company’s upcoming smartphones to the audience.

Microsoft hopes Windows Phone 7 will appeal to its traditional business audience. Here, a demonstration of the smartphone running PowerPoint.

Microsoft also demonstrated the phones’ abilities to quickly auto-correct e-mails and other text.

Windows Phone 7 aggregates Web content and applications into six subject-specific “Hubs.” Microsoft also paid particular attention to the features and functionality of e-mail and other features.

Microsoft is also hoping that third-party developers will build apps for Windows Phone 7. Big names like eBay have created apps for the phones’ initial rollout.

The LG Quantum is one of the Windows Phone 7 devices that AT&T plans to offer in the November-December timeframe.

The LG Quantum comes with a sliding QWERTY keyboard. Although Microsoft imposed strict hardware requirements on its manufacturing partners, it seems some of those OEMs went a little off the reservation with their designs.

The HTC 7 Surround is another Windows Phone 7 device scheduled to roll out in November or December.??í

The Samsung Focus will debut on AT&T’s network Nov. 8. Windows Phone 7 will be available first on GSM-based networks such as AT&T and T-Mobile, with CDMA-based networks such as Verizon following in 2011.

The HTC 7 Surround includes a pop-out speaker, for blasting music or a speaker-call at highly inappropriate moments.

The LG Optimus 7, displaying Windows Phone 7’s home screen.

The Dell Venue Pro includes a 4.1-inch multitouch display and a sliding QWERTY keyboard.

The Dell Venue Pro is fronted with Gorilla Glass, for durability and scratch resistance.

The HTC 7 Trophy.

The HTC 7 Surround. Note how Windows Phone 7’s “tiles” don’t flip into landscape mode when the phone is tilted on its side.

The HTC Mozart, one of the first Windows Phone 7 smartphones whose details leaked before the unveiling.

The HTC HD7 includes a 4.3-inch touch screen and a kickstand.

The HTC 7 Surround’s kickstand.

The HTC HD7’s kickstand.

The Samsung Omnia 7.