Windows Phone 7 launches: Start here

Well, it's here. The day has finally arrived when you can walk into a shop and buy a Windows Phone 7 handset. Or not, if you live in Manchester.

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 was first announced way back in February. Despite Microsoft's previous poor showing with Windows Mobile, the new platform gave us cause for excitement thanks to its Xbox Live integration and, to a lesser extent, Microsoft's fragmentation-busting hardware stipulations. LG, Samsung, and HTC are all doing the honours.

The usual hardware, software, and launch date rumours trickled into the blogosphere over the summer, but it wasn't until August that we really got excited.

On the 17th, just before GamesCom, Microsoft revealed a 63-game line-up including Crackdown, Halo, Castlevania, and Guitar Hero. It also promised strong independent support, epitomised by 3D puzzle-platformer ilomilo.

The game announcements have continued to flow, though most have been low key. Until, that is, EA threw in its lot with Windows Phone 7, revealing that Need for Speed Undercover, Tetris, Monopoly, and The Sims 3 are all incoming.

The first big press release of the day, incidentally, comes from PopCap and advertised Bejeweled Live.

Pocket Gamer will be bringing you all the significant hardware and game reviews over the coming weels, but in the meantime feel free to hang around and browse our Windows Phone 7 writings so far.