Microsoft sent out an announcement for an April 12th media event with the simple tag-line: “It’s time to share.” Media outlets suspect the disclosure of the project “Pink” Microsoft has been working on.
Project “Pink” is all about “always connected” Microsoft is aiming to finalize the code for Windows Mobile 7 by Summer 2010 with the intent of launching devices in the latter half of the year.
As a side project separate from Windows Mobile 7, Microsoft will leverage the technology and talent of Microsoft-owned Danger by developing a new line of consumer phones that will form the foundation for the next generation Sidekick. These new “Sidekicks” will be powered by Windows Mobile and will integrate with Zune and other Microsoft services. They will most likely not be a mobile phone version of the Zune HD that everyone was gossiping about last year. These Project Pink devices are expected to debut later this year ahead of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 7 offerings.
Both CNET and the Wall Street Journal published articles on Monday claiming to have sources with knowledge of just what Microsoft has planned with the April 12th event.
“The event will herald the introduction of Microsoft’s long-awaited new phones for the always-connected crowd. The devices, code-named Pure and Turtle… will run on Verizon Wireless’ network and go on sale within the month following the event,” wrote CNET.
Both the Pure and the Turtle are rumored to be touch-screen, full-QWERTY slider phones, and developed under the project code name “Pink.” The two new handsets are also said to run a version of Windows CE, although it is unclear whether they will be able to leverage applications that currently run on Windows Mobile, or applications designed for the upcoming Windows Phone 7, or none of the above.
