The countdown is over!  Last week, Windows Phone 7 handsets made their debut to Australian consumers.  More than ever before, Australians are making smartphones an essential part of their everyday lives.  Windows Phone 7 represents a new kind of handset that will help Aussies be more connected with the things and people that mean the most to them, easier.  We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic response from customers to Windows Phone 7 handsets hitting the Australian market.  Some of the cool features that have people most excited are:
 
•         Start screen – provides a ‘glance-and-go’ experience so you can see everything you care about in once place – what’s going on, what’ coming next, what you’ve missed
 
•         Live Tiles – animated tiles that show pending messages and appointments, news and weather, or game and friend status.  It’s refreshed wirelessly via the web and is customisable allowing you to decorate it, pin people, apps, playlists, pictures, and other favourites to it.
 
•         People Hub – keeps track of your social scene by scanning Windows Live and Facebook feeds and photos, in addition to dialling, texting or emailing friends in the address book.
 
•         Xbox LIVE – the free service allows you to match wits with friends from wherever you are.  Your avatar and gamer profiles travels with you so you can track scores and wins.
 
Joining the celebration over the availability of Windows Phone 7 was social media sensation (and one of the most talked about men on the internet) Isaiah Mustafa who has been in town showing the phone off (as well as showing himself off).  The former US NFL football player has made a few appearances around the country including a surf trip to Bondi where he picked up a few tips from some Aussie lifesavers and shared some tips on Windows Phone 7. 
 
To find out more about Windows Phone 7, visit windowsphone.com.au or get updated by following us on Twitter: @windowsau or Facebook.
 
Cheers,
Sheau-Lan
Director of the mobile communications business