Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft's upcoming release of its mobile operating system, had a coming-out party of sorts at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, in February.
Now, Microsoft is ready to show the ins and outs of the mobile platform with an official launch. According to a blog post on Microsoft's Windows Mobile blog, Tech Ed 2009 will feature a "kickoff presentation" for Windows Mobile on Monday, May 11.
Aimed at both IT professionals and developers, the session is expected to offer a demo and outline the future of the operating system.
It's still unclear what Microsoft has planned for the Windows Mobile 6.5 "launch" at Tech Ed -- whether it will demonstrate the OS, unveil devices running it or announce its general availability.
Windows Mobile 6.5 is a stopgap to deliver more functionality and features to Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional as Microsoft readies Windows Mobile 7.0 for release sometime in 2010.
The operating system was unveiled at Mobile World Congress as part of an aggressive Microsoft campaign targeting mobility in an attempt to take share away from the Apple iPhone and Research In Motion (RIM) Ltd.'s widely popular BlackBerry smartphone line.
Windows Mobile 6.5 takes some cues from the iPhone, offering a home screen with a "dashboard-like" experience, featuring up-to-date information such as new e-mails, text messages, missed calls and calendar appointments. The updated OS also features an improved touch-screen interface that Microsoft said makes "it easy to take action with a finger." Version 6.5 also will feature the latest version of the Internet Explorer Mobile browser.
