Windows Mobile 7 phones coming in Q1 2009?

Windows Mobile 7 may be closer than many think.

According to a report from at least one major handset maker, Microsoft is planning to make available the final bits of its next mobile operating-system release in time for them to start selling Windows Mobile 7 phones in the first quarter of 2009. If true, that would seem to imply that Microsoft will release the final Windows Mobile 7 by the end of 2008, in order to give phone makers time to test and preload.

As is the case with Windows 7, Windows Mobile 7 is a forbidden topic. Microsoft won’t talk about planned features, beta dates or how/when/if Windows Mobile phones will become more head-to-head competitors with the iPhone.

(I am wondering whether Microsoft might finally share some Windows Mobile 7 info at its Worldwide Partner Conference in early July, given that Andy Lees, the newly appointed Senior VP of Microsoft’s Mobile Communications business is on the keynote line-up. If Microsoft really is going to deliver the final Windows Mobile 7 bits later this year, one would think it needs to be evangelizing about it now.)

There have been a few leaks about what Microsoft is planning for Windows Mobile 7 and Windows Mobile 8. Not too surprisingly, multi-touch and gesture-recognition support are on the docket. The user interface for Windows Mobile phones is slated to get an overhaul, making it more consumer friendly. And, at some point, consumer-focused services beyond Windows Live — things like music and photo-management, will find their way onto Windows Mobile devices via Microsoft’s Project Pink and Danger acquisition.

Until now, the only target date for Windows Mobile 7 I had seen leak was “some time in 2009.” But the Phone Report earlier this week quoted an official with HTC saying the company planned to deliver a Windows Mobile 7 phone in Q1 2009, and an Android-based HTC phone in Q4 2008, by the way.

From recent executive remarks, it sounds like Microsoft is trying to get Windows and Windows Mobile to be more in sync. Might this mean with Windows Mobile 8 — which Microsoft has told certain folks will be built from scratch — Microsoft might make Windows Mobile a “real” version of Windows, with the same core as Windows client?

Samsung announces the OMNIA Windows Mobile device with 5 megapixel camera

It is great to see so many new and innovative Windows Mobile devices being announced and launched from the likes of HTC, Sony Ericsson, and now Samsung. Samsung announced the Samsung OMNIA (SGH-i900) on Monday and my buddy, Arne Hess, already had a chance to put his hands on an early protype and provides some more photos, including photos with the HTC Touch Diamond and Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1.

The Samsung OMNIA is a Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (touch screen) device with a xx MHz processor, 8GB or 16GB flash drive plus an additional microSD expansion slot, 3.2 inch WXVGA (240×400) display, 5 megapixel camera (top of the line for Windows Mobile), FM radio with RDS, integrated GPS receiver, quad-band GSM and HSDPA support, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, TV out capability, and a 1440 mAh battery. The device has haptic feedback on the display so you feel a vibration when the display is touched.

The photos of it look impressive and it has a real iPhone-like look to the UI, but with the power of Windows Mobile behind it. Samsung calls its new interface, TouchWiz, that allows you to customize and personalize their “widgets” on your device. It is interesting to read that it has out-of-the box multicode support for DivX, Xvid, and other video formats so multimedia fans may love this device with the large high resolution display.

It will be available in Southeast Asia starting next week and in Europe in July. There was no announcement of a U.S. release so this may be one to look for from a U.S. importer. Again, like the HTC Touch Diamond I think it is great to see manufacturers pushing the limits and taking Windows Mobile to the next level.

Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle.