Windows Mobile 7 release delayed

Microsoft has informed some of its partners that it has had to delay Windows Mobile 7, a much anticipated update to its cell phone operating system.
Although Microsoft has not publicly said when to expect Windows Mobile 7, partners who had expected to have a final release in their hands by early next year have been told now that it won’t be ready until the second half of next year, sources told CNET News.
The delay is a significant blow for the software maker, which has been counting on the next version of Windows Mobile to enable devices that better rival Apple’s iPhone. Among the features widely expected to be part of the release is advanced gesture recognition, perhaps along the lines of the iPhone, but possibly also using the camera as a means for reading gestures. Microsoft’s Tellme unit, which focuses on speech input, has also been working on Windows Mobile 7 features.

This is a big benefit to continued iPhone enterprise adoption. Without a viable MSFT competitor in the space near-term, there’s little to stop enterprise adoption of the iPhone v. a Windows Mobile alternative.

I found it quite appropriate that this thread currently sits (on my AFB order of topicsl)  just above the Jokes Thread. 

It does bring a smile, but more like the smile at the Christmas gifts under tree.” Oh look Honey, This one’s from Microsoft”

With all the market grief we’ve to fight, RIMM remains the only competition on the horizon.