When Microsoft failed to announce any Mac software for Windows Phone 7 at its event on Monday, many people assumed that meant that there would be no way to directly load content from an Apple computer onto the new devices. However, that will not be the case.
“Later in 2010 Microsoft will make a public beta available of a tool that allows Windows Phone 7 to sync select content with Mac computers,” Microsoft said in a statement.
The statement, released shortly after midnight ET Wednesday, came after a Microsoft employee in the United Kingdom posted a tweet, since deleted, that indicated that some sort of Mac connection was coming, though not all the details were correct.
“I’m glad to confirm that Mac users would be able to use Zune on their Macs to sync with” Windows Phone 7, Microsoft UK’s Oded Ran said in the tweet. As mentioned, the message has since been deleted, but it was widely retweeted and also captured by Microsoft enthusiast site Neowin.net.
In fact, Microsoft has been working on a piece of Mac software that will allow certain content to be shared with a Windows Phone 7 device.
Microsoft’s Zune software for Windows is still the primary means of connecting with a Windows Phone–allowing users not only to upload content but to update their phones and purchase apps, music, and video as well.
Microsoft took a similar approach with its ill-fated Kin, which also relied primarily on Zune but offered a more limited Mac-connection option.