Windows Mobile 7 delayed until late 2010
Windows 7 for desktops and laptops may now have successfully launched, but its mobile counterpart Windows Mobile 7 is still nowhere to be seen. Originally intended to be released sometime in 2008, that changed to 2009. Then it was delayed until early 2010. And now it’s been delayed again, this time until late 2010. The question now is whether it will ever actually show its face?
Windows Mobile was once the most popular mobile operating system for smartphones and mobile devices. And then along came the iPhone and Blackberry and its market share began to fall. And it’s still doing so.
With this in mind you’d think Microsoft would be keen to get its latest mobile OS out onto the market to give it a chance of competing once again. But no, as delay after delay has hit Windows Mobile 7, which has been in development since 2005.
The latest announcement of a delay came courtesy of Phil Moore, head of Microsoft’s mobility division in the U.K. According to WMpoweruser, he was speaking in a Q&A session at the Connect! technology summit in London recently when he stated:
[Windows Mobile 7] has been put back until late next year but it is definitely coming. You’re going to see a lot more on Windows Mobile 7. Giving the enterprise users and consumers what they want will be part of Windows Mobile 7. You’ll get flexibility on a much easier touch UI.
Microsoft clearly needs to get Windows Mobile 7 right or risk falling even further back in the market against the likes of iPhone OS 4.0, a new Android OS, and other entries to the market which have yet to show themselves. However, forever delaying the OS isn’t going to do Microsoft any good, either in the short or long term.
At some point, Microsoft is going to have to sign off on Windows Mobile 7 and realize it’s never going to be able to cram everything in and beat Apple and the other competition in every single department. Just get the damn thing out on the streets already.
Related Posts:
December 13th, 2009
Somthin’ fishy going on here.
Microsoft does not need another year to throw away the stylus pen and create a multi-touch friendly interface. The fact that it is taking so long makes me think that Microsoft is working on, and concentrating on, something else.
I think Microsoft is working on its own phone hardware. I think it will ditch the current Windows Mobile, and come out with a totally new Zune Phone running a totally new platform (but still based on WinCE).
Meanwhile, Microsoft is just Windows dressing (pardon pun) its current Windows Mobile, padding time until it can do an Apple with its own hardware.
Yes, it will screw the handset makers who licensed Windows Mobile, but Microsoft did this before when it dumped its Plays For Sure music software.
I think the answer is to stay away from Windows Mobile until you see what they do next. Otherwise, get an Android phone.
December 14th, 2009
Windows Mobile 6.5 is good enough. On a Phone that is unlocked and with the easy to use ROM Kitchens, my Touch Pro will do until I see a big enough leap in either pricing or tech to change.
Microsoft would be better served to spin off CE. They will not be able to fight versions 0f Linux on this platform much longer.