While some bloggers expected that Microsoft's Steve Ballmer might announce Windows Mobile 7 during his recent keynote at CES, he hasn't said a single word about Microsoft's next Windows phone version but was talking about Windows 7 and other upcoming products only. Nevertheless, according to Engadget, LG unveiled during their CES press conference that "LGs new phones will feature Meta Material Antenna, with (more) Windows Mobile 6.5 and 7 smartphones coming this year". It sounds pretty reasonable that Microsoft hasn't taken the opportunity to announce its most important Windows Mobile release at the CES but might better wait to get the full mobile industry attention at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

This is also backed-up by a note form Andreas Krieg, Director Mobility at Microsoft Germany, who said at a recent press event that "the upcoming Mobile World Congress will be important for Microsoft".

Anyway, whatever is announced whenever, it's again confirmed that Windows Mobile 7 is expected to hit the market in 2010. Not sooner (anymore) but also not later.

Cheers ~ Arne