Windows Mobile 7 'Maldives'

Ballmer may have wanted it to be out yesterday, but it looks like the initial release of Windows Mobile 7 may now finally, actually be in sight. According to ZDNet Taiwan, the mobile OS is now on track for a release to OEMs for testing (the so-called “Maldives” program) sometime in the first quarter of 2010, and will be launched publicly sometime in the third quarter of the year (or about a year after the release of Windows Mobile 6.5) — all of which more or less lines up with earlier rumors of a release to manufacturing in Spring 2010. If past history is any indication, however, it seems likely that the earliest builds of the OS could be circulating around the usual channels well before that — probably right on the heels of the release to OEMs.

Windows Mobile 7 OEM Release: First Quarter of 2010
Filed under: Cell Phones, Phone Software | By: Peter Chubb
Posted on: November 11, 2009 |

ZDNet Taiwan is reporting that Microsoft is to release the OEM version of Windows Mobile 7 for testing in the first quarter of 2010. Microsoft also said that they aim to release the full version of the mobile operating system by Q3 2010; this will be about one year after the launch of the current Windows 6.5.
The Windows Mobile 7 OEM Release is part of the “Maldives” program and like all other OEM programs, will gather feedback from those who participate. Engadget learned that Microsoft has been forced into speeding up its development of the program because of their decline in the Mobile OS market.

The first leaks of the Windows Mobile 7 OEM will likely begin in the New Year, much the same as it did for Window Mobile 6.5. The news of the upcoming HTC HD2 could mean that it will come installed with the new Windows Mobile 7.

Microsoft will have to do something special with Windows Mobile 7 if they hope to claw back some market share. It is no secret that Microsoft have been losing ground to the likes of iPhone OS and the ever popular Google Android OS, if Microsoft are not careful they could end up bottom of the pile with no way of making its way back to the top.

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