Windows Mobile 2005 Smartphones Not Expected for Over a Year

Although Microsoft only unveiled a new edition of Windows Mobile for Smartphone in March, some are already looking ahead to devices running the next major upgrade. At this point, it appears the wait for these will be a long one.

msmobiles.com is reporting being told by a Microsoft employee who asked to remain anonymous that the first smartphone to use Windows Mobile 2005 won't hit the market until August of next year.

If this information is accurate, it doesn't mean that Microsoft won't make Windows Mobile 2005 available until that time. There is a long lag time between when an operating system for smartphones is released and when the first devices using that operating system become available. This is because not only do manufacturers have to do final testing of their devices, mobile phones of all kinds must undergo extensive testing, which usually takes months, before any wireless carriers will allow them on their networks.

As a case in point, while Microsoft officially unveiled Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition back in March, three months later no company has even announced plans to release a smartphone making use of it.