The latest Windows Mobile 7 rumors ...

We're a niggling more than than a week away from likely finding out what all the Windows Phone Seven (or Windows Mobile 7, or Seven, or any) is all most. And that means it's fourth dimension for more rumors to come itch out of the woodwork.

After the break, let's tackle the latest batch that was seeded to a couple of sites (Mobile Tech Globe and PPCGeeks) and what we think of them.

Before we begin: We're going to answer these rumors as if they're true, but honestly we have no thought if they are or not. Plainly we still don't have any official word as to what's ahead for Mobile World Congress, and we still don't really know how these rumors might or might not fit in with the other big ones we've heard.

Rumor: Windows Telephone Seven volition debut at Mobile Globe Congress. Only information technology will just exist the user interface. No hardware, and no in-depth demos.

Hardly a shocker there, equally we've been telling y'all that for a very long time, and information technology'south more often than not been confirmed by Microsoft execs. Don't be besides worried about non getting overly in depth. That'll come.

Rumor: The new UI, codenamed "Metro," is similar to that of the Zune HD. It will have a completely new start screen.

Once again, that surprises anybody? You know what else has a UI that'south like to the Zune HD? Windows Mobile 6.5. That said, the two feel very unlike. (You tin can thank the Zune Hard disk'southward Snapdragon processor and capacitive screen for that, though the HTC HD2 closes the gap nicely.)

Oh, and if this really turns out to be truthful, just remember: I told you lot and so.

Rumor: No Flash support, but Silverlight's on board. And at that place volition be no fewer than 4 development sessions at Microsoft'due south MIX10 conference in March.

As far as the MIX10 conference goes, nosotros've known since Nov that they'll be talking the latest version of Windows Mobile there. And "Windows Phone Application and Game Development" is peppered throughout the session list. Then, yeah, information technology's on the calendar.

As for Silverlight, nosotros've known for quite some time that it's going to play a pretty big part in WP/WM 7. But what I go along thinking back to is a concept video we saw last yr. It likely has less to exercise with what we'll see unveiled as it does what'due south possible. And that'due south exciting.

And equally for Wink: It's time to go over it. For reals.

Rumor: Apps can only be loaded through the Market, and there's no multitasking as nosotros now know it. Apps will pause in the background, however, and at that place will be button notifications.

The word "Multitasking" gets thrown effectually a lot these days. What you really desire is the ability to stop what yous're doing, go do something else, and then come back to the original task, right where you left off. So what if only one app is "running" at a time? As long as you don't lose your place, no biggie.

No sideloading? Again, it's a brave new world out at that place, folks. But never underestimate the, shall we say, "enthusiast" community to find means around things.

Rumor: In that location won't be whatever backward NETCF compatibility.

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll have to say it again: Information technology's likely time to forget what you know about Windows Mobile, folks. Don't call up of this every bit a new version. Call up of this equally a new platform.

Will things exist ported? Will there exist emulators? Maybe. But starting fresh isn't a bad thing. When yous buy a new car, yous lose the piece of work and coin you put into the last one. But do you await back?

Rumor: Full Zune integration. Syncing volition be done through the Zune desktop software. Full Xbox integration.

Somebody want to tell us what "Zune integration" is? That'south another i of those phrases that's been thrown around without anyone really knowing what it means. If it has a Zune-like UI or media player, is that "Zune integration?" If it works through the Zune Marketplace or desktop software, is that "Zune integration?"

Oh, and good riddance, Windows Mobile Device Center.

Rumor: No OEM interfaces. Every bit in, no Sense UI, no Mobile Shell, etc.

Again, surprised? It'southward a image shift for Microsoft, and one that'south going to brand a lot of people unhappy. We're all going to accept to get over it. Sorry.

OK, everybody. That'due south it. Is this the future of Windows Mobile? Will in that location be several tracks? One week to go, and then we'll find out ... something. Stay tuned.

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