The release date of Windows Phone 8 remains elusive, though rumors expect it to be confirmed at the Sept. 5 event Microsoft and Nokia will hold in New York. ZDNet reports, however, that the launch date is October 29.

ZDNet's source is claiming that Oct. 29 will see the announcement of the Windows Phone 8 launch date, four days after the launch of Windows 8.

October 29 is described as the "official" launch of Windows Phone 8, and may take place in San Francisco or Los Angeles, just four days after the "official" launch of Windows 8 on Oct. 26. The source described the event as the "consumer launch" of the next-generation version of Windows Phone. Devices are to be available a couple of weeks later, around the beginning of November.

The source did not say when the Windows 8 devices will be available; Microsoft said that its Surface tablets will arrive "around the general availability" of the desktop operating system. The Windows Pro version will available 90 days later -- around early January 2013.

From October 30 to November 2, the software giant may then hold a Microsoft Build conference, the developer-focused event for Windows Phone 8, Windows 8, and more. Microsoft is pushing cross-software development between Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8: developers can build apps simultaneously. The platforms all use Modern UI, so cross-software development will be similar to Apple's universal apps feature for iPads and iPhones/iPod Touches.

Windows Phone 8 is the next-generation version of Windows Phone, removing support almost completely for Windows Phone 7 devices due to the new Windows NT Kernel and offering support for high definition screens and multi-core processors. Samsung unveiled the ATIV S, a a Windows Phone 8 device. it also sports a 4.8-inch screen and an ultra-thin design.

Regardless of when Microsoft announces its new mobile operating system, launching in November will mean it faces stiff competition as the holiday season approaches.