Finally. Today, Microsoft announced that it will fully launch Windows Mobile 6.5 and the Marketplace for Windows Mobile on October 6. Network operators AT&T, Sprint and Verizon are on board, as are phone makers HP, HTC, LG, Samsung and Toshiba.This is big news. First announced in February of this year, Windows Mobile 6.5 promises to bring a host of improvements to the Windows Mobile platform. The world has been waiting for this news to break. October 6 will see not only Windows Mobile 6.5 phones, but also the Marketplace for Windows Mobile and the Windows MyPhone services fully launch to all end users.

WinMo 6.5 is said to have a better browser, an easier-to-use interface and better integration with Microsoft's Web services. It is also much more finger friendly, based on the short time I've spent with it.

Todd Peters, corporate vice president of the Mobile Communications Marketing Group at Microsoft, said in a prepared statement, "A Windows phone gives people a single phone that works for their whole life, keeping them connected to the people and information they care most about by harnessing the power of the PC, phone and Web."

In the North American market (Canada and the U.S.), we can expect to see devices from phone manufacturers HP, HTC Corp., LG Electronics, Samsung and Toshiba Corp. running on the networks from AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint, TELUS and Verizon Wireless.

Microsoft said that its device and network partners will be making announcements over the coming weeks about new phones. Stay tunes, this is going to be a busy and interesting Fall!