Microsoft to launch smartphones on October

Microsoft Corp will formally offer a series of smartphones using the latest version of its Windows operating system on October 11 which will be sold exclusively by AT&T, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The newspaper, citing "people familiar with the launch plans," said the US software giant will offer three Windows Phone 7 smartphones with handsets made by South Korea's Samsung and LG Electronics and Taiwan's HTC.

The Journal said AT&T will be the initial exclusive US carrier for the phones, which will go on sale the week of November 8.

Microsoft has been under pressure to come up with new smartphones to rival Apple, which controls the market with its popular iPhone, and many other companies that have launched devices using Google's Android.

According to market research firm Gartner, Microsoft's share of the worldwide mobile operating system market will fall to 4.7 percent this year from 8.7 percent last year.

AT&T will be the initial exclusive U.S. carrier for the Windows Phone 7 smartphones and will offer three handsets -- one each made by Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and HTC Corp, the report said.

In emails to AFP, Microsoft said it is "on track to deliver Windows Phone 7 this holiday" but does not comment on "rumors and speculation."