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A few days ago, we told you that Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, had let slip about an upcoming refresh version of the company’s mobile OS, Windows Mobile 6.5.  At that time, we had no further details on the next version of Windows Mobile before version 7 which is due in late 2009 or 2010.

But now SmartphoneFrance.info, a French mobile technology web site, has posted screenshots of what it claims to be Windows Mobile 6.5.  We remain skeptical, but the shots are interesting if for no other reason that they look a little Zune-ish.

Windows Mobile is in desperate need of a makeover, and while there are many directions in which Microsoft could move to make the OS more finger-friendly, a move away from drop-down menus and toward a smooth, scrolling Zune-like interface would certainly be a welcome one.

via WMpoweruser

Some on the Web are billing a recent quote from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer concerning porting Zune software to future Windows Mobile devices as a grand revelation – but it’s been known since early January that Microsoft was planning (at the very least) to bring a Zune-type media player to Windows Mobile 7, the next version of the company’s mobile platform.

As you can see from this screenshot, Windows Mobile 7’s media player has a Zune icon, presumably to connect to the Zune store to purchase and download tracks.  The screenshot was part of a package of captures released on a Microsoft-related blog in January.

It is unclear how much Zune will shape future version of Windows Mobile; its entire interface could be changed to reflect Zune, or a Zune-inspired player could simply replace the current Windows Media Player Mobile.  I would welcome each of these changes.

Given the evolution of the Zune software (the Zune players’ UI and the Windows Zune application) over the past year, adding it to Windows Mobile it would certainly prove a great improvement over the miserable Windows Media Player Mobile, which remains largely unchanged for years and is about as limited as mobile media software can be.

I don’t expect a Zune-phone, but there will be a greater marriage  of Zune and Windows Mobile in the future.  Exciting stuff.

If true, this is a disappointing development in the world of Windows Mobile. According to a blog at CNet, Microsoft is quietly telling some of its partners not to expect the final version of Windows Mobile 7 until the second half of 2009. 

This schedule isn’t exactly a delay, as Microsoft has never provided a firm date for delivery of WinMo7, but many analysts expected the new OS to ship in early 2009.

Windows Mobile 7 is expected to be a major update to Microsoft’s mobile OS, with gesture recognition, more touch-friendly interaction, and sweeping improvements to the the UI.  These changes are very much needed in light of increasing competition from RIM, Apple and Google’s Android.