Microsoft is really cranking up the news this week, especially in the mobile space.  The tech company is focusing more towards Windows Phone software with plans to kill its Zune HD player.  And in its desperate attempt to catch up with Android and iOS, Microsoft and Nokia promise to launch their first Windows based smartphones in the coming weeks, though no launch date has been revealed.

Nokia Windows Phone to join mobile launch party

Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop today said that the company is on the path to unveil its first smartphone built on Windows Phone 7 Mango.  Though Elop didn’t set a target date for the launch, it’s expected to arrive at the end of October, coinciding with the annual Nokia World trade show in London at the end of October.  The shipment will arrive just in time for Christmas.

The new Windows smartphone would be in direct competition with a market now dominated by the iPhone and Google’s Android based devices. “Our belief is that there is a clear opportunity for an alternative ecosystem,” Elop said. Ironically, Nokia has chosen the date when whole world is awaiting the launch of Apple’s much anticipated fifth generation iPhone.

Microsoft Hotmail Joins Android Club

Microsoft also announced that its e-mail service Hotmail will get new features, as well as an Android app.  It’s an important step as Microsoft grows its focus around mobile software, extending access points wherever possible.  It’s not uncommon to find competing apps on rival marketplaces, but Google’s been far more aggressive in launching its web services on iOS and other platforms.  Microsoft also promises that Hotmail will be available on iOS 5 on the new iPhone as well.

RIP Zune HD

Microsoft introduced the Zune back in 2006. At its launch, most tech blog commented it to be a slick device with tight software integration, good subscription plans and an alternative to Apple’s popular iPod.  But since then Zune has lost its traction, leaving Apple the clear winner in this space.

And to end Zune five years regime, Microsoft this week confirmed that it will be no longer be engineering its Zune music player but will still offer support for the devices.

“We will no longer be producing Zune players,” Microsoft said in a note on Zune.net. “We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players. So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today.”

As the cloud enables more support for personal media and easy access for previously protected content, Microsoft’s developing a clear focus around its mobile cloud strategy. The Redmond company also announced new subscription plans for Zune Music Pass, offering $14.99/month service that allows downloads for offline listening. As part of this plan, users can now download 10 MP3 files a month and access to 3 PCs and 3 portable devices including Xbox 360.  It’s dismal compared to services like Spotify, but it’s well-integrated into Microsoft’s other devices.

Windows Phone Marketplace

A renewed and renovated Windows Phone Marketplace also landed last week.  Microsoft launched its online version of Mobile app store, the Windows Phone Marketplace.  Though the number of apps is like peanuts compared to Apple and Android’s app stores, Microsoft still managed to showcase more than 30,000 applications.  Most apps are designed for Mango or Phone for Windows 7.5.  The app store could be seen as a third alternative marketplace for developers and consumers, a community outlet Microsoft is rather anxious to populate.