Reports: Windows Phone 7 handsets to arrive Oct. 21

Smartphones running Windows Phone 7 will hit shop shelves around Europe on Oct. 21, according to several reports.

The devices will go on sale then in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain, the reports said. Microsoft will splash out on a number of launch events in the run-up to release, with Orange joining forces with the software maker for the U.K. debut, according to Neowin, quoting "sources familiar with the software giant's plans".

The date fits the likely timeframe, given that Microsoft completed development of its new mobile OS at the beginning of September and looks set to hold an open house to promote it in New York on Oct. 11. Despite this, it isn't expected to arrive in the U.S. until early November, and then only on GSM networks.

Read more about "Reports: Windows Phone 7 handsets to arrive 21 October" at ZDNet UK.