There is no denying that the upcoming Windows Phone 7 mobile platform is generating quite a buzz. The new OS is promising to deliver one of the most dynamic user interfaces, a fully comprehensive smart phone experience and of course, plenty of new integrated social networking features that does not only have access to Facebook, but also offers games and media sharing capabilities as well.

The WP7 OS was a surprise hit at the MWC last February that has gained quite a following since. In the past few months, Microsoft has slowly revealed even more details to the new OS. From the original Bing, Zune and Xbox Live Games trinity, the features of the new OS has been further expanded with new web services such as the MSN player, Silverlight and more.

According to a recently leaked document from Microsoft, it seems that retailers are being told to be prepared for a possible launch of the new WP7 handset this coming September. While a Q3 launch is not what Microsoft originally announced, it is pretty close to the original October launch date. This means that if Microsoft’s development is ahead of schedule, they might actually manage to release the OS a full month ahead of time.

However, as MS has yet to acknowledge the validity of the leaked document, we are still expecting WP7 and the first handsets to use it, to be available starting October.

Speaking of the WP7 handsets that are coming out; the LG panther is among the first of the devices to have been revealed to the public. And according to rumors, LG is already working on a couple more WP7 devices as well. So far, details on the rumored LG E900 and LG C900 handsets have not been released (nor have either two devices been confirmed).

As you might have already heard, the LG Panther has been recently distributed to a few developers who are working on new apps for the upcoming Microsoft mobile platform. The slider smart phone looks very much like the original demonstration unit used by Microsoft to show off WP7, with the addition of a chrome border around the screen and a slightly altered three button layout on the bottom of the device.

The big bonus on this touch screen smart phone is the slide out QWERTY keyboard. So far, LG is the only manufacturer that has announced a WP7 device that makes use of the type-2 chassis. All of the other devices that will be using this OS from HTC, Samsung and other manufacturers are reported to be using the type-1 chassis –which is the basic touch screen format.

The device got shipped in with a large box though it is believed that the retail version of the Panther will have a different packaging design as the print on the box did not reflect the new WP7 logo that we have come to expect.

Speaking of the new phone, it appears that users will have to install a specialized version of Zune in order to connect the device to a computer. No word yet if the final retail version will also use the same software, though this iTunes-esque phone syncing routine is a bad direction to go –and Microsoft should have known better.

As seen with the developer version of the device and the SDK tools, Silverlight will play a key role in the development of apps for the new OS. For now, developers are advised to focus strongly on apps that would enhance the user experience. Microsoft will be supporting the business experience later on (it is expected that new tools will also be released).