If January was the month of Apple's iPad, February is certainly the month of Microsoft's Windows Mobile 7.
The next-generation release of Microsoft's faltering mobile platform has in recent weeks sparked widespread Internet speculation, ahead of a supposed unveiling at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.
In the latest batch of rumours, it has been suggested Windows Mobile 7 will offer integration with a number of Microsoft's popular entertainment services, including Zune and Xbox.
The speculative details come from an anonymous tipster who claims to have provided the facts to websites such as mobiletechworld and ppcgeeks.
According to the tipster, Windows Mobile 7 will be revealed at next week's Mobile World Congress in the form of a live software demonstration - although a physical device isn't expected to be on show. Rumours of a Zune Phone have seemingly been dashed, with the source suggesting that a Microsoft-manufactured device isn't planned.
Instead, Microsoft is thought to be clamping down on the manufacturing process of third-party devices by ensuring all device drivers are produced in house to enable over-the-air updates. Furthermore, Windows Mobile 7 is said to feature a UI that can't be customised by device manufacturers, a constraint that could bring an end to front-end interfaces such as HTC's TouchFlo.
Microsoft's one Windows Mobile 7 interface for multiple devices - purportedly codenamed "Metro" - is said to be similar to the Zune HD, differentiated by a new start screen. It's said to offer "full integration" with Xbox Live for gaming, including the ability to purchase XNA-developed games, and Zune for music and movie content.
However, taking a leaf out of the iPhone's book, Windows Mobile 7 is believed to impose a number of restrictions. According to the rumour mill, applications can only be installed via Microsoft's dedicated Marketplace, and there will be no support for multi-tasking. As with the iPhone, push notifications will be available, but open applications will pause when in the background. In keeping with what's quickly becoming an industry trend, support for Adobe Flash is also said to be initially absent from the platform, although it will support Microsoft's own Silverlight technology.
It's an ambitious set of details, but arguably not outside the realms of possibility. We're certain this won't be the last batch of Windows Mobile rumours to surface this week, but stay tuned as HEXUS will be bringing you all the details as they break at next week's Mobile World Congress.
