Two web publications have independently reported that Windows Phone 7 will launch in Europe on October 21. They both cite sources "familiar" with Microsoft and its plans.

While we're keeping this in the rumor category, it does seem to add up. Previous reports have named October, and Microsoft just a few weeks ago announced that the Windows Phone 7 software is ready for release. It's just a matter of when manufacturers will be shipping their phones.

The initial report from Spanish website El Economista said the phones would be released in Spain on October 21, but another report that popped up at Neowin added the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy to the list. Neither report gives any indication as to when Windows Phone 7 will launch in the United States, but it's a safe bet that the U.S. launch would occur within a few days of the European one.

Neowin also reports that Microsoft will show off its phones at an event in New York City on October 11, and that Microsoft will partner with a popular London-based radio station to promote the phones in the UK.

Windows Phone 7 has some very promising features, but this weekend some techies were disappointed to hear that Microsoft doesn't plan to support data tethering with the devices. Will you be picking one up anyway?