Microsoft further hints at Windows Phone 7

Microsoft this morning confirmed that its CEO, Steve Ballmer, will give the company's Windows Phone keynote at Mobile World Congress next Monday. The firm provides little detail other than what's provided but signals the likely launch of Windows Phone 7 just through Ballmer's presence. Traditionally, the executive has rarely if ever handled such events himself and has instead let those in the Windows Mobile group host any presentations.

Windows Phone 7 is expected to be the new badging for what would have been Windows Mobile 7 and should involve a major interface overhaul that brings Zune components to much of the design as well as multi-touch and integration with social networking and Xbox Live. It may be treated as a separate branch of Microsoft's mobile strategy, however, as it may drop multitasking and compatibility with Windows Mobile 6 apps to reach its goal.

The first phones using Windows Phone 7 could ship in September and will likely be fast, very high-end media phones like the rumored HTC Touch Diamond3.

By Electronista Staff