Microsoft to display phones and gadgetry Windows Hardware Engineering Conference

In keeping with it's focus on unified communication, Microsoft is planning to use the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Los Angeles the week of May 14 to announce 15 new phones and other communication devices from its 9 partners.

The new phones from Microsoft and its partners will keep you connected with the workplace phones to e-mail, instant messaging, real-time presence information, conferencing, VOIP (voice over IP) and mobile communications.

The new devices that Microsoft and its partners will display include IP phones, USB phones, wired and wireless headsets, Bluetooth devices, conferencing phones, portable speakerphones, LCD monitors and laptops. Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that the new devices from their partners - LG-Nortel, NEC, Plantronics, Polycom and Samsung - are easy to work with Microsoft's unified communication software - Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007.

All the products are now going through the Microsoft's qualification cycle. The products will be available in the public beta program of Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007 from May 14 onwards.