There are numerous reports that Microsoft (News - Alert) has forced out Joe Marini after he made comments about Nokia’s new Windows Phone 7.

He did not give details on the upcoming device but gave a personal opinion and rated it, according to Gottabemobile. Microsoft said Marini left because he released “confidential information,” Gottabemobile said.

It was announced earlier this year that Nokia was going to switch from a Symbian (News - Alert) OS to a Windows Phone 7. Marini tweeted that the Nokia phone is the “slickest looking” and has a “solid feel, good camera, responsive UI.” Marini gave the phone an “overall” rating of an 8.

“Nice little touches on the body construction,” he added in the tweet. Though he admits, he would have liked to have seen a larger screen and optimal lighting in the camera.

News reports also point out that Marini was representing Microsoft before developers at last week’s Build conference.

In its story on the incident, the blog GeekWire reported that, "As we understand it from people inside the company ... Marini resigned after learning that he would be let go for improper use of social media and disclosure of confidential information.”

His forced departure was criticized by several online sites that follow the company.

“If this is true, I think it's ridiculous,” comments MicrosoftWatch. “When a CEO ‘accidentally’ offers a glimpse of an upcoming device, it's called viral marketing; when an employee posts about something everybody already knows, apparently it qualifies as insubordination.”

“With Microsoft's social media policy expressly forbidding employees from disclosing confidential information, it seems likely that Marini's comments were one step too far,” adds thinq.com.  “We can't help but wonder, however, if he would still be employed had he given the device 10 out of 10.”

In a related story, Nokia (News - Alert) is once again turning to the Symbian operating system as it launches three new smartphones, according to TMCnet.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nokia says it is “committed” to Symbian even with the forthcoming partnership with Microsoft and many industry watchers questioning the Symbian relationship.

In its article, The Journal described Symbian as a “moribund” system. And Nokia’s commitment to Symbian is a “marketing exercise,” The Journal adds, until the Windows Phone (News - Alert) gets in full swing, TMCnet said.