> The Redmond, Wash., software giant is set to [hold a launch event](http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/03/oct_11_windows_phone_7_launch_event_confirmed.html) on Oct. 11 for new devices powered by Windows Phone 7. And while it was presumed that the event would focus on phones, *Neowin.net* claims that the event in New York City may also be used to introduce [new ‘slate PCs’](http://www.neowin.net/news/exclusive-windows-slates-coming-at-christmas-unveiled-on-october-11) that will hit the market this year.
>
> “Microsoft has been working closely with several un-named OEMs to produce a genuine answer to the iPad,” the report said. “The software giant is concerned that iPad sales are slowly cannibalizing Windows sales and eating away at the recent boom in netbook sales.”
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> Next week’s rumored showcase of Windows tablets coincides with what Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said at an event in the U.K. on Tuesday. Speaking to students, staff and journalists at the London School of Economics, Ballmer said consumers can expect to see new, Windows-powered l[this Christmas](http://www.reuters.com/article/idCALDE69412U20101005?rpc=44), according to *Reuters*.
>
> The report noted that Ballmer declined to say whether the devices would be on sale before Christmas, or who will make the hardware.
via [appleinsider.com](http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/05/microsoft_may_use_windows_phone_7_event_to_show_off_tablets.html)
Boy, that would be stupid.
Did Apple introduce a new iPhone model when it launched the iPad? No. You know why? Because that would have been stupid.
Windows Phone 7 has enough going against it as it is. It doesn’t need a media blunder to steal any thunder away from the launch event. Microsoft is launching a brand new platform in the most competitive market for any consumer electronics product in history. It is literally three years late in getting back into the game. It’s only managed exclusive deals for its new phones with the weakest of the four major carriers in the US (T-Mobile). Why on earth would they be dumb enough to launch anything else on the same day? Why would they want the press to talk about ANYTHING other than their new phone platform that day?
The goal should be to make every tech news outlet and every major mainstream newspaper and every television news program talk about nothing but Windows Phone 7 for as long as possible. This has to look like the ultimate phone in the universe. The biggest thing since DOS.
Everything I’ve seen about Windows Phone 7 so far actually looks promising. Please tell me Microsoft isn’t going to stumble right out of the gate with a huge media blunder. Tell me Steve Ballmer isn’t that stupid. Someone. Please.
