Rumor: Windows Phone 7 U.S. launch set for November 8

(Credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET)

The activity around Windows Phone 7 is starting to pick up and with it are some new rumors of launch dates.

According to Paul Thurrott of Windows Phone Secrets, the U.S. market will see devices launch on November 8, whereas Europe will get them a bit earlier, starting October 21. Microsoft has not confirmed these dates, but it fits the timeline given in our earlier report.

What we do know for sure is that Microsoft will hold an Open House in New York on October 11, as well as a press conference in London on the same day. As CNET News reporter Ina Fried said, the Open House will serve as a formal kick-off for Windows Phone 7, but it won't be the sole focus of the event, as Microsoft will be showcasing its other holiday products at the open house. We have received our official invite and will be there with cameras to capture the action.

HTC, Samsung, and LG have all received FCC approval for their Windows Phone 7 devices, and over the weekend, a couple of ads featuring the HTC Mondrian for AT&T were leaked onto the Web. Recently, Microsoft confirmed it will launch only GSM phones this year, with CDMA customers (Verizon and Sprint) having to wait till 2011 for their shares of the Windows Phone 7 pie.