Windows Phone 7 debuts in Australia
12 October, 2010 | Sydney, Australia
Microsoft Australia today joined with its partners to reveal details of the five Windows Phone 7 handsets, a selection of which will be available in Australia from Thursday 21 October, 2010
Windows Phone 7 Options
Microsoft has worked with partners to create a different kind of phone with new experiences that bring together what people care about most – easier and faster. Windows Phone 7 will be available in Australia in a variety of models from the following device manufacturers: HTC, LG and Samsung.
Microsoft Australia’s major launch partner, Telstra, will offer its customers two exclusive smartphones – the HTC 7 Mozart and the LG Optimus 7Q. The HTC 7 Mozart will be available from 21 October to both consumer and business customers for $0 upfront on a $49 Cap Plan over 24 months. The LG Optimus 7Q will be available for $0 upfront on a $79 Business Cap Plan. Plus, Telstra will be launching its first-ever consumer Cap Plan with unlimited standard national calls, SMS and MMS for $129 per month in time for launch, where customers can choose the LG Optimus 7Q for $0 upfront.
Other Windows Phone 7 handsets announced for the Australian market include the Samsung OMNIA 7 and the LG Optimus 7 available from Optus and the HTC 7 Trophy available from Vodafone.
“With Windows Phone 7 we have redesigned the smartphone. The focus is on people and what we do every day – the friends we connect with, the games we play and the way we interact with each other – making every-day tasks easier and faster,” said Tracey Fellows, managing director, Microsoft Australia. “We are delighted to have Telstra as our major launch partner for Windows Phone 7. Telstra’s market reach and leading Next G network will be key ingredients for Windows Phone 7’s success in Australia.”
Telstra Chief Marketing Officer, Kate McKenzie, said, “Windows Phone 7 arrives at a time when Australians are embracing smartphones in record numbers. We think our customers will love the simplicity of Windows Phone 7 as well as its bold visual design. Combine this with the unmatched speed and coverage of Telstra’s NextG network, and we think Windows Phone 7 is set to be an exciting force in the Australian smartphone market. I am delighted that Telstra customers will be amongst the first in the world to experience it.”
Using design to simplify tasks and Windows Phone hubs to organise information, Windows Phone 7 helps you easily find and consume data, information, services and applications. The new phones are distinguished by unique and diverse experiences built from Microsoft’s deep portfolio such as Xbox LIVE(1), Office Mobile(2), Windows Live, Bing and more.
“Windows Phone 7 is the only phone with Xbox LIVE built in,” said Fellows. “With 500,000 Xbox LIVE gamers currently in Australia and that number expected to grow to three quarters of a million by the end of FY11, we’re excited at the impact Windows Phone 7 will have for this rapidly growing community.”
Windows Phone 7’s start screen is highly customisable with live tiles that let you add your own content instead of just having a collection of icons as well as being able to see how many emails or calls you’ve received or upcoming calendar events. The tiles ‘come to life’, with real-time updates from the web such as news, appointments or the status of your friends. New live tiles can be easily created from whatever content you want, such as applications, websites – even photos and music.
Windows Phone hubs are a hallmark experience for organising information on a phone, bringing together a related set of applications, services and content:
-
People hub: Enter social central to scan Windows Live and Facebook feeds and photos, in addition to dialling or texting friends in the address book.
-
Pictures hub: Share photos easily from pictures saved to the phone, Facebook and Windows Live. Go from pocket to picture in seconds with a press of the camera button, and then send photos from the hub to friends or post to Windows Live or Facebook.
-
Games hub: Play games with friends, track scores and wins in the gamer profile. With try-before-you-buy demos, Xbox LIVE leaderboards, turn-based multiplayer, Achievements and more, Windows Phone 7 brings the quality, consistency and community of the Xbox experience to gamers on the go(1).
-
Music + Video: Play video and music quickly. Enjoy custom playlists, listen to podcasts and recommend favourite songs to friends.
-
Office hub(2): View, edit, share and sync Microsoft Office docs. Create a note in OneNote Mobile then sync it wirelessly to the web. Collaborate with co-workers through SharePoint Workspace Mobile.
-
Marketplace hub: Get quality applications – games, music, entertainment, news, sports, social networking, productivity, travel and many more. Apps are tested and certified to deliver a consistently great experience. Marketplace is also accessible through a PC client that is integrated into Microsoft’s Zune software.
Fueling New Experiences
Marking a new era in mobile gaming, Windows Phone 7 is the first to put the power of Xbox LIVE(1) into the palm of your hand with a blockbuster line up of game titles from award-winning publishers. In addition to the titles already announced earlier this year, Electronic Arts (EA), today announced the first wave of EA games coming to Windows Phone 7 this fall. As part of Microsoft’s managed portfolio of Xbox LIVE titles, all EA games for Windows Phone 7 will be Xbox LIVE-enabled. EA will deliver a portfolio of titles that offers something for every mobile gamer, from casual to core, including Need for Speed™ UNDERCOVER, Tetris®, and The Sims™ 3.
Search is easier with a dedicated button to help you find what you need on the phone, whether in contacts, in Marketplace, in email or on the web and from the Start screen, the Search button delivers Bing for mobile.
Support for Windows Live brings the cloud to Windows Phone 7, helping you manage pictures, Windows Live calendar, OneNote Mobile and more. The new Find My Phone service on Windows Live can remotely ring, lock, erase and show your phone’s location on a map.
Globally, Windows Phone 7 handsets will be available from leading mobile operators in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, with 60 mobile operators in 30 countries worldwide committed to bringing Windows Phone 7 handsets to market.
Pricing and availability
The HTC 7 Mozart is available for $0 upfront to Telstra Consumer and Telstra Business customers on a $49, or higher, Cap Plan. It is available from 21 October from Telstra Shops and dealers. It is also available to Telstra Enterprise & Government customers on a range of plans.
The LG Optimus 7Q launches in early November and will be available for $0 upfront on Telstra’s new $129 Cap Plan which provides customers with unlimited standard national calls, SMS, MMS as well as 3GB of data per month over 24 months.
Telstra Business customers can purchase the LG Optimus 7Q on a range of plans including the $79 Business Mobile Cap Plan which includes $750 for standard voice/video calls, text/MMS to any Australian network and 500 MB of included data – plus a bonus 500MB of data available until November 30. It is also available on a range of Telstra Enterprise & Government plans.
Telstra Consumer customers: access full pricing options and register your interest here.
Telstra Business customers: access full pricing options and register your interest here.
(1) Xbox LIVE subscription required.
(2) There are some differences between the features of Office Mobile and Microsoft Office 2010. Usage fees and charges may apply as set by your service provider.
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Georgina Bonner
Howorth
PH: 02 8281 3819 or 0430 756 469
[email protected]
Rudolf Wagenaar
Howorth
PH: 02 8281 3879 or 0439082550
[email protected]
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
This material is for informational purposes only. To the extent permitted by law, Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. To the extent permitted by law, Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of express warranty.
Next G is a trade mark of Telstra Corporation Limited ABN 33 051 775 556.
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft Corp, please visit the Microsoft’s corporate News Centre.
Tags: Windows Phone, Telstra, HTC 7 Mozart, LG Optimus 7Q
