Microsoft finishes Windows Phone 8, ready for manufacturers

We’d heard that Microsoft was working around the clock to finish Windows Phone 8, and it appears that hard work has paid off: ZDNet and WPCentral are reporting that Redmond finished up the new operating system today. The news comes just hours after LiveSino posted images, said to be from a Windows Phone 8 team member, that featured individuals autographing a sign that indicated the software had reached the RTM — release to manufacturing — stage.

Now that Microsoft has turned the final software over to its hardware partners, the work turns towards getting the next generation of Windows Phone devices — including the recently-announced Nokia Lumia 920 — ready for consumers. Microsoft is reportedly hoping to launch Windows Phone 8 at the end of October, with Nokia eyeing November 2nd for the introduction of the 920 in the US. Microsoft opened up its Windows Phone 8 SDK Preview Program for sign-ups just two days ago, and as the pieces fall into place, we’re about to see how much muscle Redmond can flex in the mobile space.

Update: We have now confirmed independently that Microsoft has finished Windows Phone 8, with devices expected to hit retail stores in early November.