Microsoft to Deliver New Generation of Windows Phones on Oct. 6

Sept. 1, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows^®
phones will be widely available at retail stores worldwide on Oct. 6,
2009. The new phones will be the first to feature Windows Mobile 6.5,
the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile phone software, and will
deliver new customer experiences through an improved, easy-to-use user
interface, better browsing capabilities and access to valuable
services, including Windows Marketplace for Mobile and Microsoft My
Phone.

“A Windows phone gives people a single
phone that works for their whole life, keeping them connected to the
people and information they care most about by harnessing the power of
the PC, phone and Web,” said Todd Peters, corporate vice president of
the Mobile Communications Marketing Group at Microsoft.

Industry Players Rally Behind Windows Phones

Partners
from around the globe are committed to updating or expanding their
portfolios to include phones with Windows Mobile 6.5.

One Phone for Work and Play

Windows
phones are ideal devices for work and play, giving consumers the
confidence to get things done with mobile versions of the software they
recognize and expect from their PCs. The redesigned Internet Explorer
Mobile browser includes a new engine and built-in Adobe Flash Lite
support for better rendering and completion of tasks, so it’s easy to
do more from a phone, such as check in for a flight, get directions or
pay bills while on the go. Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile delivers a
familiar, consistent e-mail experience across the PC, phone and
browser, while Microsoft Office Mobile allows customers to open and
edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents right from their phone. With
Windows Live on their phones, users can keep track of friends in one
place, no matter which social networking sites they belong to —
Facebook, Twitter or MySpace Windows Live.

Powerful Mobile Services

Windows
phones will debut with two new powerful mobile services so that the
information, contacts and applications customers want are always at
their fingertips. A wide variety of approved and certified applications
will be available for direct download to Windows phones from Windows
Marketplace for Mobile, and an easy return policy lets customers buy
with confidence. The free My Phone service allows customers to
automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text
messages from their phone to the Web, making it easy to access and
manage them from their phone or PC or restore the information in the
event of a lost phone.

A Customized Experience, From Keyboards to Widgets

Windows
phones give consumers the choice of a broad selection of form factors
from sleek, touch-screen devices to full QWERTY keyboards to make it
easy to find a phone that fits their needs. Windows Mobile 6.5 provides
easy access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and
Zagat, and an improved, touch-friendly user interface that allows
customers to tailor their phone to suit their individual style. With
the new version, users can change the look and feel of their phones
with designer themes or a personal background and customize their home
screen with widgets so the information they need is always easy to find.