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Microsoft promoted WP7 with Angry Birds, without Rovio's permission

Now they're REALLY Angry

Microsoft promoted WP7 with Angry Birds, without Rovio's permission
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| Angry Birds

If you’re releasing a new smartphone, there are worse ways to impress potential players than by associating the device with the current crowning king of mobile gaming: Angry Birds.

That’s exactly what Microsoft did on its promo page for the upcoming handset. Alongside icons such as Pulse News Reader, eBay, and Tap Tap Revenge, the infamous little red bird appeared amongst a sea of popular apps.

Problem is: the game’s not destined for Windows Phone 7. Developer Rovio mobile tweeted that the the studio is “NOT committed to doing a WP7 version”, and that Microsoft used the icon “without our permission”. That’s not the best way to court potential partnerships.

Microsoft has since removed the entire graphic (it certaintly calls into question the legitimacy of Tap Tap Revenge or Pulse News on the device), and now makes no mention of the game on its website.

Still, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a Phone 7 edition of Angry Birds appear. The game’s already available on every platform under the sun - from Nokia to iPhone and iPad to Android - what’s one more?

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer