Windows Mobile 6.5 to launch in October - Windows Mobile 7 one year later

More information is filtering through about Microsoft’s plans for the next versions of its mobile operating system. According to a report by DigiTimes, Microsoft is preparing to launch Windows Mobile 6.5 on 1 October this year, followed by a “touch interface” upgrade in February 2010. Windows Mobile 7 will then launch towards the end of 2010 and will co-exist with Windows Mobile 6.5, rather than replace it.

This confirms the information first revealed in a video that showed ‘ Windows Phone’ in action — that’s Microsoft’s new name for Windows Mobile. The Microsoft rep in the video (shot by The Register) states that version numbers will not be used for Windows Phone, but that the version based on Windows Mobile 6.5 will be a “value” proposition and that based on Windows Mobile 7 will be reserved for premium devices.

There’s no word on what the Windows Mobile “touch interface” will consist of, but suspect it will bring add some of Windows Mobile 7’s user interface elements to Windows Mobile 6.5 to introduce a degree of consistency once both operating systems are available.

Microsoft’s apparent intention is to pitch lower-priced Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones against Google Android-powered handhelds. While the more full featured (and far more finger friendly) Windows Mobile 7 will face off against Apple’s iPhone. How consumers will be able to differentiate between the two platforms remains to be seen — they’ll both be called Windows Phone, remember.

Maintaining two different mobile platforms also runs counter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer thinks about Google’s situation. With regard to its Android handheld operating system and its planned Chrome OS, he said: “I don't know if they can't make up their mind or what the problem is over there, but the last time I checked, you don't need two client operating systems. It's good to have one.” Steve seems to be forgetting that Microsoft will already have at least five different, active operating systems on the go come the launch of Windows 7.

[ DigiTimes]