Surprise, Surprise, Windows 7 Like You Never Saw It Before

Windows 7 could run on more than just PCs, laptops (netbooks/Ultra Low Cost PCs) and servers, according to a detail “leaked” by Microsoft, or just a slip-up from the company. In fact, Windows 7 could power mobile phones/smartphones as of 2010. At the start of January 2009, Microsoft made available for download the fully-fledged Beta builds of both Windows 7 client and Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2). Last month, users got free, unlimited access to the Beta releases, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta is still up for grabs, even though Windows 7 client Beta downloads were discontinued. But despite millions of Windows 7 installations, there is a face of the operating system that testers have so far not been able to see. Except on the Windows 7 official hotspot on Microsoft.com, where the software giant has posted an image “Presenting... Windows 7” which clearly shows a smartphone running Windows 7, or at least featuring the Windows 7 official Beta wallpaper, with the indistinguishable Betta fish.

Initially spotted by AeroXP, Microsoft's Windows 7 page is inviting users to “follow our journey here as we create the next release of Windows.” In this context, the Redmond company is suggesting that the next iteration of Windows Mobile, which is Windows Mobile 7, the successor of version 6.5, will in fact be intimately connected to Windows 7. And suggesting is all that the company does, and more than it has said, or is willing to reveal to the public, about Windows Mobile 7. Of course, at this point in time Microsoft has failed to provide any confirmation of this scenario, and shared little to no details on the connection between Windows Mobile 7 and Windows 7.

However, the image might be just the evolution of the Redmond company's current Windows – Windows Live and Windows Mobile $300 million marketing campaign, with a focus shift on Windows 7. In this regard, Microsoft could only indicate that the Windows universe across desktop PCs, laptops, mobile phones/smartphones and the Cloud will only grow with the advent of Windows 7.

But at the same time, the Betta fish wallpaper of Windows 7 Beta Build 7000, and even of the early builds from the Release Candidate branch is a visual detail associated exclusively with the Windows client. With the smartphone displaying the Windows 7 Beta wallpaper featuring the Betta fish, Microsoft is indicating that Windows Mobile 7 could be based on the Windows 7 code, rather than Windows CE. Windows 7 does come by default with the MinWin core, a move supporting componentization, and out-of-the-box support for geolocation, touch and multitouch, tilt and pan capabilities, and other features that make more sense on mobile phones than on PCs or laptops.

At the start of February 2009, Sanjay Jha, CEO, Motorola, confirmed that Windows 7 had been delayed to next year. “We are still committed to Windows Mobile. As you know, Windows 6 series is available in 2009 and as compared to Android, we believe in 2009 Android is more competitive; more of our effort and focus in 2009 is going to Android, but in 2010 when Windows 7 will become available, we will then participate in a more focused way in Windows Mobile 7 in 2010,” Jha stated according to SeekingAlpha.

Microsoft already made some plans public on the evolution of its Windows Embedded lineup of operating system. The next version of Windows Embedded Standard (the successor of Windows XP Embedded) will be based on the Windows 7 code. At the same time, the Redmond company has said nothing about the path it will take with Windows CE, or Windows Embedded Compact, which will be the next release. The only thing that Microsoft said was that “Windows Embedded Compact [is] the next generation of Windows Embedded CE. The next product release is currently forecast for 2009.”

At the same time, Windows Mobile 7 is expected to be released to testers and partners only at the end of 2009, in November. The first Windows Mobile 7 devices are reportedly going to be available only starting with April 2010. Microsoft is currently working its way to the RTM of Windows Mobile 6.5 with the first mobile phones planned for September 2009. It remains to be seen whether Windows Embedded Compact and Windows Mobile 7 will in fact be connected with Windows 7.