Windows Phone 7 launches in UK

Microsoft has today unleashed its new mobile operating system on the UK.

Windows Phone 7 was announced back at Mobile World Congress in February but, following several delays, it has only just hit the shelves as the main feature on five mobile handsets.

HTC dominates the new releases with three phones running the OS the HTC 7 Mozart, HTC 7 Trophy and the HTC HD7 but both Samsung and LG have launched devices today as well the Samsung Omnia 7 and the LG Optimus 7.

Whilst the Mozart and the Omnia are only available on Orange, the Trophy and Optimus are just on offer through Vodafone and the HD7 stands alone on O2.

A Dell handset featuring the OS the Dell Venue Pro has yet to be released but will hit our shores in time for Christmas.

"We wanted the Windows phone to be delightful across a range of different hardware devices and across a range of different applications and experiences," said Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft, at the official launch of the OS earlier this month. "We wanted it to be that way for the consumer and the developers."

The devices have already got the support of UK comedian and Apple enthusiast Stephen Fry, who attended the launch to sing the OS' praises.

"I made no secret of my dislike of Microsoft over the years," he said. "Microsoft were grey and were featureless. They forgot even the greyest number cruncher in an organisation is a human being first."

"They now, I think, get it. They understand that people ... are human beings first."

Read our first look review of the HTC 7 Mozart here.