Mobile World Congress is right around the corner, starting on February 15.  Rumors abound about Microsoft’s plans for the event, though we all anxiously await the much-hyped (and hoped for) Windows Phone 7 announcement.  Let’s face it, Microsoft is pretty much banking their mobile future on this one, so it needs to be better than good.  Whatever Microsoft has in store for us needs to be knock your socks off amazing.  Leading up to the event, it looks like Microsoft has a few leaks, and quite a few rumors have been floating around the Internet in the past 24 hours or so. 

The rumors about the new Windows Phone 7 Operating System include:

· WP7 will be announced at MWC, and there will be a demo, but this will be just the UX
· MIX will have specific developement focus sessions on WP7
· WP7 supports both Sliverlight (out of browser) and XNA
· Silverlight is version 3.0, with elements of 4.0 plus mobile specific features such as sensors etc
· XNA apps can be developed using XNA GameStudio 3.1
· SL apps developed using Expression Blend 3.x and VS2010
· MS will release a mobile version of VS / Expression which will be free, and VS2010 / Expression Pro will have a free add-on
· WP7 will have an equivalent of .NET CF embedded into SL, but no SQL.
· WP7 will have isolated storage which is accessible using LINQ
· The UX of WP7 is based upon a theme called “METRO” and is similar to Zune HD, but with a completely new “Start” screen.
· No multi-tasking (applications will pause when in the background, however they will support notifications using the MS Push Notifications environment)
· No .NET CF backwards compatibility, however a proportion of the data and business logic in .NET CF could be ported
· MS were confident to have devices ready for Sep 2010
· No MS manufactured device, however much tighter control of manufacturing process, so as an example each device has a 3D processing chipset, and MS provide all of the device drivers. So no platform builder. This enables OTA updates and simplified model for ODM’s
· Marketplace will support buy and try before you buy, as well as an API
· ODM / OEM will not be able to modify the “Start” screen, so no more HTC Sense / TouchFlo etc.
· MS are actually ahead of schedule which will surprise the analysts / journalists
· Browsing experience is currently faster / better than iPhone 3G, and they are aiming towards 3GS.
· Browser is based upon desktop IE7 codebase, but with some IE8 functionality
· No in browser Flash or SL
· WP7 has full integration with XBOX Live, and ability to purchase games
· WP7 will use the Zune software for music, videos, photos sync
· WP7 only supports app installation through service based delivery i.e. marketplace, so no side-loading
· MS will provide a hosted push notifications environment

OK.  We have now passed on the rumors we are hearing.  None of this has been confirmed, and it could all be completely false.  I have no idea.  So, we are just going to leave it at that (except to say…no multitasking??? Are you kidding me???), and reserve further comment until Microsoft unveils the new operating system (which is hopefully coming at MWC).  After the official announcement, we should have plenty to say about the new operating system.  Until then, go ahead and check out the rumors again, and take them for what you will. 

via Mobile Tech World and PPC Geeks

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