Samsung Electronics launched its Omnia 7 today, the Korean company’s latest smartphone and the first one operating on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 OS.  

 

The Samsung Omnia 7 features a 4" Super AMOLED (480 x 800) touch-screen, 8 GB of storage, Qualcomm QSD8250 1 GHz application processor, as well as a 5 MP camera with HD-ready (720p) video recording. Seeing that it is running on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7, it will offer users access to a range of services including Xbox LIVE gaming and Zune for music and video.

 

Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE and Zune are available directly on the Samsung Omnia 7. Xbox LIVE gives users access to an extensive line up of gaming titles, whilst Zune offers them a host of video and music content. When the smartphone is connected to a user’s PC, the Omnia 7 will automatically sync content, so that music and videos can be enjoyed anywhere.

 

“The Samsung Omnia 7 is our first Windows Phone 7 device and we anticipate that consumers will be drawn to its fantastic entertainment experience. Most importantly however, the device demonstrates our commitment to offering consumers a choice of platforms that fit their lifestyles,” said Paulo Ferreira, head of mobile product and business solutions at Samsung.

 

“We are proud to partner with Microsoft for what represents a significant milestone and a great addition to our smartphone portfolio and are launching this product today, which is fully supported by Microsoft, to continue to demonstrate the importance of this partnership for the consumer and smartphone market alike,” he added.

 

The Samsung Omnia 7 will be available exclusively from Vodacom as of today (6 June 2011) at a recommended retail price of R5 299.

 

Microsoft SA recently held a preview event for the next major release of Windows Phone, code-named “Mango”, which will deliver over 500 new features to its mobile operating system (OS) centred around communications, apps and the internet.

 

The Mango release will be available for free to Windows Phone 7 users and is scheduled to ship on new phones beginning this fall (Q4 of 2011), with a more specific date being provided closer to availability.