While the Windows Mobile world prepares to welcome the underwhelming Windows Mobile 6.5 update, we’re already looking forward to Windows Mobile 7. There’s no doubt that WM6.5 offers a touch-optimized UI that makes Windows Mobile 6.1 look plain awkward, but Windows Mobile 7 is expected to reinvigorate the Windows Mobile platform with a new-from-the-ground-up touch-friendly interface. A new video posted by Microsoft shows off what looks like the Windows Mobile 7 OS running on a variety of hardware.
Microsoft is using the video (below) to promote their “Software + Services” platform, but that’s not 
what caught our attention. Close examination of the Instant Message and Media Player applications show what looks like the Windows Mobile 7 “Orb,” hinting that the applications are a part of the still-developing WM7 platform. There’s also some streaming video demonstration that may confirm streaming media support on WinMo 7. The video also seems to give us a glimpse of what could prove to be Windows Mobile 7 Standard’s non-touchscreen interface.
The applications spied in this video may be nothing more than unseen Windows Mobile 6.5 applications. The devices used (HTC Touch Pro, HTC Touch HD and T-Mobile Dash) are known to be internal Microsoft testbeds, but it’s not clear if these devices are used to test Windows Mobile 7.
It’s fun to imagine that Microsoft is letting loose an early, surreptitious look at Windows Mobile 7, but the reality may be that these apps are nothing more than unreleased WM6.5 software.
Peep the video below and let us know what you think…
[Via: WMPowerUser]