We'll ship Windows/Nokia phones by Xmas, says Ballmer

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 12 July 2011 09:39

IT Industry - Strategy

Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, appears to have confirmed that Nokia phones running Windows Phone 7 will be on sale by Christmas, and that they will run the second release of Windows Phone 7.

He told delegates at 2011 Imagine Cup - a Microsoft student technology competition  - "You know, a year ago we didn't have a phone in the market. Now, we're charging forward with Nokia. We have the second generation of our phones coming out this Christmas, and people are starting to do things they had never imagined before. I love the applications that I saw for the Windows Phone from the people in this room, and the way you're pushing that device, and using that device. It was really exciting for me."

Microsoft has already unveiled the second generation of Windows Phone 7, codenamed 'Mango' and has said it will be available as an upgrade for existing Windows 7 devices by Christmas.

Nokia president and CEO, Stephen Elop, said - when Nokia announced its Q2 results at the end of May: "[Nokia and Microsoft] teams are aligned, and we have increased confidence that we will ship our first Nokia product with Windows Phone in the fourth quarter 2011." However analysts are not expecting volume shipments until early 2012, meaning that Nokia and Microsoft would miss the pre-Christmas sales peak.