Microsoft will give each of its 90,000 employees a mobile phone based on Windows 7 operating system (Windows Mobile phone 7). This was announced by the giant at the Microsoft global exchange conference held this week. The system, whose launch is expected later this year, is expected to include enhanced graphics and be characterized to target social networks. Microsoft employees received the news with enthusiasm, which they expressed by twitting on Twitter. “Amazing! Each employee gets a Windows 7 at launch” twitted one of the workers, while another wrote “I’m not even in the conference, but I can feel the excitement.”.

The move is expected to cost the company a substantial sum, but it seems that this is a clever strategic move as part of the marketing program of the mobile operating system. Experts estimated this week that Microsoft chose the “word of mouth” method and believes that in having its employees spread the news, the giant will be able to penetrate the competitive smart phones market. This is not an unusual act, since Google previously distributed Nexus 1 devices to reporters attending its annual conference.

Meanwhile, the company also sent devices to some technological journalists that were enthusiastic about the development. “What we see here does not feel like a complete mobile operating system in many ways,” reads a review on Engadget, “a lot of smart steps were taken here, but there are serious issues to be addressed, if the company really wants to fully compete with the existing market supply ” .

In an internal e-mail circulated by Andy Lees, Mobile senior vice president to employees stated that “with all the buzz, many of you are probably wondering how you can get the device and be more involved. I’m happy to announce that a new Windows 7 will be available to all Microsoft employees with the launch around the world.” Lees added that the process will vary from country to country depending on local supply and date of the launch area.

Earlier this month the software giant announced that it would stop producing the Kane smart phone, which it tried to market to young people who use social networks in an attempt to compete with Apple’s iPhone device, due to disappointing sales – 48 days after reaching the shelves in stores. Microsoft, that has invested two years developing the device under the code name “pink project”, and a lot of money in marketing, has announced that it will not start selling the device in European countries in the beginning of fall, as planned. Employees who were responsible for the development of the Kane joined the staff of the Windows 7 operating system.