Microsoft is touting the release of a new line of Windows Mobile phones across the globe. The phones are being launched under the new “Windows phones” brand. The company stated that it expects more than 30 new Windows phones will be launched in more than 20 countries before the end of the year. The phones will feature touchscreen functionality and full Internet browsing. The redesigned Windows Internet Explorer will include Adobe Flash Lite2.

Phones expected to be launched worldwide include:

In North America:

• HTC Pure from AT&T – A nice review of the HTC Pure was done by Joel.
• HTC Imagio from Verizon Wireless
• Samsung Intrepid from Sprint, available Oct. 11, 2009
• HTC Tilt 2 from AT&T, available in the coming weeks

In Latin America:

• Samsung Omnia II available in the coming weeks from TIM Brasil

In Europe:

• MDA Vario V, MDA Compact V and HTC Touch2 and the Samsung Omnia II from Deutsche Telekom in select European markets
• HTC HD2 from Orange, available in the coming weeks in France
• HTC Touch2 from Orange, available in the coming weeks in France, Spain, Switzerland and Romania
• A software update for the HTC Touch Pro2 from Orange, available in the coming weeks in France, U.K. and Romania
• Samsung Omnia II from Orange, available in the coming weeks in Poland, Switzerland and Slovakia and from early December in France
• Samsung Omnia LITE from Orange, available in the coming weeks in France and Spain
• Samsung Omnia PRO B7320 from Orange, available in the coming weeks in France and the U.K.
• Toshiba TG01 Windows phone from Orange, available as an update to the TG01 in the coming weeks in France, the U.K., Switzerland and Romania
• LG GM750 and Samsung Omnia II from SFR in France
• TMN Bluebelt 2 and TMN Silverbelt, made by ZTE Corp., from TMN in Portugal
• Samsung Omnia II and Omnia LITE from TMN in Portugal
• HTC Touch Diamond2 from Vodafone in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa and Central Europe
• HTC Touch Pro2 from Vodafone in the U.K. and Switzerland
• LG GM750 from Vodafone in Germany, the U.K., Spain and the Netherlands

The following phones are available on the open market in Europe:

• Acer beTouch E100, beTouch E101, beTouch E200 and Acer neoTouch
• Garmin-Asus nüvifone M20
• Samsung Omnia II, Omnia LITE, Omnia PRO B7320, Omnia PRO B7330 and Omnia PRO B7610
• Toshiba TG01 Windows phone

In Asia:

• ZTE X60 from China Unicom
• HTC Touch Diamond2 from Telstra

The following phones are available on the open market in Asia:

• Acer beTouch E100, beTouch E101, beTouch E200 and Acer neoTouch
• Garmin-Asus nüvifone M20
• HTC Snap, HTC Touch Pro2, HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch
• LG GM730 and LG GM550
• Samsung Omnia II and Samsung Omnia PRO B7320, Omnia PRO B7330

Microsoft has also announced the availability of two new services for Windows Mobile users including My Phone and the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. My Phone is a free service which will allow users to backup and manage information on their smartphone. Windows Marketplace for Mobile gives Windows Mobile users an easy way to find applications from the convenience of their smartphone.

Read more from the Microsoft press release

Brian’s Opinion

Is it me or is this Microsoft’s big push to catch up to the iPhone? First, let’s look at the new “Windows phone” branding. To me that just simplifies the name so its closer to the catchy “iPhone”.

Now, let’s look at the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile store. First, there is the obvious iTunes App Store copy called Windows Marketplace for Mobile. I won’t beat up Microsoft too much on this one. After all, everyone is copying the app store idea from Apple based on the success they have had.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m excited about the effort Microsoft is putting into refreshing their Windows Mobile product line. It give users even more reasons to pick a Windows Mobile smartphone over an iPhone now that there is some equity in services offered.