14 DAY TRIAL // Redmond-based software giant Microsoft might unveil, after all, the next-generation Windows Mobile 7 during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month, even if there are some saying that it plans on pushing the OS back to next year. Moreover, it seems that the first early builds of the platform were already spotted at large, and there are also those lucky few who can say a few words on the platform.
One of these people is Mobile-review's Eldar Murtazin, which already has a reputation of gaining access to unannounced handsets long before they arrive on the market, and who managed to get personal with Windows Mobile 7 and a yet unannounced mobile phone for a few minutes. According to him, it was only an early build of the OS, but it seemed as being built down from scrap, while also sporting a great deal of changes when compared to what we're accustomed with when it comes to Microsoft's mobile operating system.
The guys over at WMPoweruser stumbled upon a series of tweets from Eldar Murtazin, and managed to put together a series of details on the upcoming OS, including the fact that “none of the old Windows Mobile 6.X apps worked” on it, or than its UI “was more complicated than that of the ZuneHD, and features much horizontal movement and 'additional info by clicks'.” According to Murtazin, the new OS is a great step forward for Windows Mobile, yet the UI seemed to own “much to the iPhone or Android 3.1/3.2.”
At the same time, he says that “the UI still however features familiar elements such as soft keys, click and hold and bears some resemblance to leaks from 2007.” For what it's worth, this was only an early build of Windows Mobile 7, and there are chances that what didn't work by now will work when the final version approaches its launch date. Here's what the article on WMPoweruser notes: “Eldar was not sure the software was yet ready for release, but was still sure it would be shown of at Mobile World Congress, at the very least behind closed doors.”