Windows Phone 7 released to manufacturing

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform has hit the release to manufacturing stage with the code being delivered to handset makers and mobile operators ahead of the official launch.

The company said on the Windows Phone Blog that the code for its forthcoming smartphone platform has been released to partners, which will ultimately deliver Windows Phone 7 to consumers in time for Christmas.

"While the final integration of Windows Phone 7 with our partners' hardware, software and networks is underway, the work of our internal engineering team is largely complete," wrote Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Windows Phone engineering.

Windows Phone 7 is a largely start-from-scratch rebuild of Microsoft's mobile phone platform, which had been looking increasingly outdated compared with newcomers such as Google's Android and Apple's iOS.

However, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft can draw enough consumer and developer interest away from these more glamorous platforms.

Developer tools for Windows Phone 7 are due for release in their final form later this month.