Windows Phone 7 Series device coming from ASUS – not until 2011

ASUS has confirmed that it’s working with Microsoft to produce the first Windows Mobile 7 phone. Unfortunately, setbacks mean it may not see release until 2011.

Microsoft showed off Windows Mobile 7, or Windows Phone 7 Series as Microsoft likes to call it, at Mobile World Congress, but it looks like we may not see a phone using the OS released until 2011.

Analyst Ashok Kumar talked to Microsoft partners about the upcoming phone, confirming that it is “still alive” but that it may miss its planned Christmas 2010 launch, skipping into 2011 because of unspecified snags. This delay gives us a sense of deja vu – we were left waiting for Windows Mobile 6.5 for what felt like an eternity, so consider yourself on the long haul if you’re waiting for a Windows Phone 7 Series handset.

Windows Mobile 7 is a completely new operating system, rejecting the look of previous Windows Mobile efforts in favour of a style more in-line with the Zune user interface. It’s more accessible and a lot prettier, but will it offer as much power and functionality? We may have to wait until 2011 for the final verdict.

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