Fancy a Windows Phone 7 device? The first phones will go on sale on October 21 in Australia, with models from HTC and LG going on sale via Telstra and a Samsung device through Optus.
On October 21, Telstra will begin selling the HTC 7 Mozart, which will be available with no handset charge if you sign up for a 24-month $49 a month contract. It will follow with the LG Optimus 7Q in November, which will be sold to general consumers on a new $129 a month plan which includes unlimited national calls, SMS and MMS, and 3GB of data. There’ll also be a $79 a month plan option for business buyers.
Samsung has signed up with Optus, which will offer the Omnia 7 model on its $79 business and consumer plans on a 24-month contract from October 21. Update: Vodafone has also scored an exclusive on the HTC 7 Trophy, but there’s no pricing details yet.
Further out, HTC will release the HD 7 model early in 2011. No word yet on any of the other devices being launched elsewhere in the world. Nick has a full round-up of the specs for the local models at Gizmodo.
At the media event, locally-developed applications from Foxtel, Australian Rugby, Tennis Australia, Australia Post, Eagle Boys Pizza and Lonely Planet were on show. As we’ve noted before, apps for the phone will only be available via the Windows Phone 7 app store, at least until someone gets around to jailbreaking the platform. Telstra will offer payment for apps and content via your main mobile bill for transactions up to $20, which is a handy way of not over-using your credit cards.
Nothing substantial has changed in Windows Phone 7 since I played with a test version in August, and I still think that it’s impressive but not exactly compelling (though predictably I like the fact the Optimus 7Q has a slide-out keyboard). Are you excited about Windows Phone 7? Tell us why in the comments.
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