Microsoft to launch smart phones; AT&T exclusive carrier: WSJ

Microsoft Corp will formally offer a series of smart phones using the revamped version of its mobile operating system on October 11, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people familiar with the launch plans.

AT&T Inc will start offering these phones four weeks after the launch, which is expected to be centered in New York, with additional events in other cities, the report said.

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

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

Microsoft and AT&T could not be immediately reached for a comment.

Shares of Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft were trading up 17 cents in pre-market trade. They closed at $24.49 Thursday on Nasdaq.

Microsoft shares have fallen more than 22% from its 2010 high of $31.58 in late April, compared with a 5% rise in Apple's stock in the same period.