Brian,

here is my rundown of WM7 related rumors, as it’s easier to me to go point by point, at leastthe ones I am aware:

* user interface (codename “METRO”) similar to the Zune HD

I don’t know this UI, but it seems many sites are pleased with it; if it’s like the one on the Start Menu in WM6.5, I don’t see this big step forward and I will have to try it…

* new Home Screen with no support to custom interfaces (like Sense and TouchFLO)

Wow, this is tough, as I am now using TouchFLO3D and it’s really smooth, not perfect, but smooth; I chose a Touch Pro2 also because of TouchFlo and if they deploy a lame Home Screen with any possibility tohack it, it won’t be good

* No Flash

well not sure waht this means, as some Flash support is now in PocketIE; out of the browser I expect Flash support but if this is not also in the browser itself this is not a good presentation for MS new mobile OS

* Will include Silverlight 3.0 with some aspects of SL 4.0 and mobile-specific features

Currently I couldn’t care less, as I don’t browse or visit regularly sites using it.

BTW: HTML5 should take care of all the above problems, including all that Flash/No Flash telenovela, shouldn’t it?

* Applications installation through Windows Mobile Marketplace only (no storage card allowed)

Mmmh, not sure. If they allow me to install the software I want I could survive this

* No multitasking but push notifications

WHAT?? This is a big NO, as pointed out by you. I was on Palm OS for 5 years before jumping on the WM6.5, and one of the great benefit of the WM platform for me is its multitasking ability, i.e. email download while I make a phonecall and my weather forecast is updating too!

* “Try before you Buy” feature in Windows Mobile Marketplace

This is a must, but maybe it would be enoigh for Matketplace to have apps )
If Applications will be installed through the Windows Mobile Marketplace only, this should not be a problem

* No .NET Compact Framework backwards compatibility (i.e. old apps will not work)

If they want to make their custmers and developers migrate on the new OS, I hope they planned a way to do it gently. They would be crazy to destroy in a single shot many years of developers and costumers commitment.
Bad if true, but I don’t expect it

* Browser faster/better than the iPhone 3G

Faster is OK, but speed is not everything; i.e. Opera on WM6.5 now is, IMHO, more clever (not fast) than Safari on iPhone/iPod Touch

* Zune and Xbox 360 Integration

I don’t care

* Full support for social networking

If this means integration in PIM and alike, it’s welcome, but I can live without it; when I need infos I don’t have, I simply get them online and update them on my PIM. Works well and I have no jam due to merging numbers an similar problems

Thatwas long, but in the end here we are!! Mixedfeelings asyou can see

I have to agree with a lot of what Federico said. I hope the no multitasking is a rumor, because that has always been one of the highpoints of Windows Mobile. The rumors I have heard essentially point to a MS ripoff of the iPhone-type interface, which is not terribly attractive to me. But MS has certainly surprised me before. We shall see.

You’d have to say the multi tasking is a killer. I think though we are looking at a different classic and professional approach, hopefully. A more media oriented consumer device, looking to make a dent in the market that Android and the iPhone are appealing to. Then a high end version suited to a power user that does all the same and more. This will also create a disparity in hardware, bigger processors, more RAM for the professional version. Just have to wait till monday