New Windows phones hit store shelves today

NEW YORK, USA: Consumers today can experience new Windows Phone 7.5, formerly code-named "Mango," with a selection of sleek and stylish smartphones from HTC Corp. and Samsung, starting at just $49.99. Now available at AT&T, the, Samsung Focus S and Samsung Focus Flash are the newest additions to the Windows Phone portfolio, joining the HTC Radar 4G, available at T-Mobile USA Inc.

Microsoft designed Windows Phone around one simple concept: People belong at the center of the phone experience. To demonstrate this approach, Microsoft put real people inside a giant six-story phone in New York City's Herald Square to bring to life the phone's key features and experiences. A life-size "Plants vs. Zombies" battle highlighted the phone's rich Xbox LIVE gaming experience, while Far East Movement brought the Music + Video Hub to life with a live lunchtime concert for hundreds of fans in.

The theme of the day — connecting people — was underscored when a New York man proposed to his girlfriend from inside the Me Tile of the giant phone.

"Windows Phone will help change the way people look at smartphones," said Andy Lees, president of the Windows Phone Division at Microsoft Corp. "Other phones have you wade through a sea of apps, while we bubble up all the things that are important — centered around the people that matter to you most."

Hot new phones
All the new Windows Phones in the US are capable of 4G speeds, have front- and rear-facing cameras, and offer a range of price points. To help new Windows Phone customers enjoy all their phones have to offer, people who purchase the HTC Radar 4G at T-Mobile or the Samsung Focus Flash at AT&T will receive a free $25 prepaid app card. This card may be used to shop from the catalog of 35,000-plus apps and games from Windows Phone Marketplace such as Angry Birds, Facebook, ESPN, and, launching today, Spotify, the award-winning digital music service

The Samsung Focus S builds on the success of the award-winning and highest-selling Windows Phone in the US, the Samsung Focus. Also available from AT&T for $199.99, it features a brilliant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1.4GHz processor, 4G-capable speeds and an incredibly thin profile at 8.55 millimeters; it also includes an 8-megapixel camera.

In addition, the Samsung Focus Flash is designed to hit the market packed with value at just $49.99. Its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen will both fit in pockets and be light on pocketbooks, with the full power of Windows Phone 7.5 inside. As fast and lightweight as it is compact, it runs a 1.4GHz processor and has a 5-megapixel camera.

Crafted from a single piece of polished aluminum, the HTC Radar 4G from T-Mobile offers a premium, unique design along with a vivid 3.8-inch screen. Running on America's Largest 4G Network, the HTC Radar 4G is available at T-Mobile stores nationwide for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate card with a two-year service agreement.

Also coming soon is the HTC TITAN from AT&T. With the largest screen of any Windows Phone, the TITAN is perfect for multitasking and making your entertainment and photos come to life. Sporting a 4.7-inch screen and an ultraslim, 9.9-millimeter design, it is unlike anything you've ever held before. The TITAN is 4G-capable and is equipped with a 1.5GHz processor and an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash.

"Windows Phones have a strong fan base among our customers, which has helped us sell more of them than anyone else," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president - devices, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets. "These new devices cater perfectly to both personal and professional use and make it easier for our customers to connect and share information with the important people in their lives. The more intuitive approach to apps, along with the power of Internet Explorer 9 and the ability for users to localize the Web based on where they are, combine to give our customers a compelling and differentiated service experience. We are excited to add them to our growing Windows Phone lineup."

Windows Phone is available from all major US mobile operators, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless. In addition, the Windows Phone 7.5 software is available for every Windows Phone customer as a free software update.

New kind of smartphone experience
Windows Phone was designed to put people back at the center of the smartphone experience, making it easier and more natural for people to take advantage of the rich communications, apps and Web experiences on today's modern phones.

Modern communications built in. Windows Phone makes it easier to connect with the people who matter by bringing together social media updates from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and recent conversations — calls, texts, email messages, Windows Live instant messages and Facebook chats — all in one place.

A smarter way to app. Windows Phone makes it easier to discover new apps and get more from the apps you already have by surfacing apps as part of search results and connecting them to common tasks on the phone.

Internet beyond the browser. Windows Phone brings you fast Web browsing with Internet Explorer Mobile and the unique new Local Scout for recommendations on restaurants, shopping and events closest to you.