Microsoft has confirmed that it will launch Windows Phone 7, the next iteration of its mobile platform, on Oct. 11.
T-Mobile executives will also be on hand for product demos, and AT&T's president and chief executive will join Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a morning press conference.
The company has posted an invitation online for a "Windows Phone 7 Worldwide Launch Event" in New York City next Monday. Several weeks ago, Microsoft invited reporters to attend a press conference in Europe and an "open house" in New York on the same day, but the invites made no mention of Windows Phone 7 at the time.
The New York event, which will last for an hour and a half, will include keynotes from Microsoft executives, a demo of Windows Phone 7 products and solution, and availability with T-Mobile representatives for product demos.
"Enjoy light snacks, beer and wine while you get hands on for an exclusive showing of T-Mobile powered Windows Phone 7 devices and an early preview of some of our applications that will be available for launch," according to the invite.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft would indeed launch Windows Phone 7 on Oct. 11, and said that AT&T would be its initial, exclusive launch partner.
On Monday morning, Microsoft also sent an invite for a "Microsoft and AT&T press conference." Ballmer will join Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T, for a 9:30am press conference in Manhattan. They will discuss the "latest about Windows Phone 7," the invite said.
In a separate blog post, Microsoft said that it "won't yet have phones available for all to buy" at the Oct. 11 event, but "that time is nearing!"
Also on Friday, Samsung confirmed that it will launch several Windows Phone 7 devices this year in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Editor's Note: This story was updated at 10am Eastern with information about AT&T.