The next full version of Windows Mobile, at one time code-named “Photon,” will be Windows Mobile 7 (WM7).  The final installation-ready version is slated for release sometime in early-to-mid 2010. Microsoft has been pushing its Windows Mobile software designers to move toward a more touch-based User Interface (UI).  This push has certainly affected the creation of Windows Mobile 6.5, and should be seen even more clearly in Windows Mobile 7.                                                                             

Moving through menus, through documents and web pages, etc., will be accomplished through touch motions; flicking a finger up and down, left and right, for example, will replace conventional scrolling. Elements of this new interface can be seen in Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard’s new Home Screen as well as in Windows Mobile 6.5.

Following are some key features which have surfaced over the internet from various sources: 

1. Speculations are that windows mobile 7 will have Silverlight based UI. Now this is a interesting news for developers who are already working in .NET and specifically Silverlight environments.
2. Along with using a finger or fingers to interact with the OS, Windows Mobile 7 will likely also include support for gestures. Accomplished by using onboard cameras found on many Windows Mobile devices, the OS will detect tilts, shakes and twists to allow the user enter commands into the OS and secondary software. According to the same January 2008 Microsoft blog entry, Windows Mobile 7 will be able to detect when the unit is in a pocket or other enclosure; this may also be accomplished by way of the onboard camera, but this is not clearly stated in the text of the entry.  The use of accelerometers, which has already been introduced in the latest models of Windows Mobile 6.1 devices, can also be used to accomplish gesture recognition.
3. Menus removed in favor of customized start menu for easier navigation with fingers using touch features.
4. Available from all new Windows Mobile 6.5 phones at the press of the Start key, the new menu takes on a ‘honeycomb’ shape, with icons that are big.
5. In addition, the new WinMo Home screen will support special widgets, which will give status information like missed calls, new messages, etc.
6. Applications in the new OS will also get a visual boost. Significantly, the contact list will be more touch-friendly as well, with larger menu items and an updated look
7. Microsoft rolled out a few new features with the Windows Mobile 6.5 updation of which is Windows Mobile marketplace, where all applications will be approved by Microsoft.
8. Microsoft is also launching a beta program for a new service called My Phone. Similar to Exchange hosting, My Phone offers over-the-air backups for information and files on your mobile phone. However, while Exchange focuses on e-mail and calendar items, My Phone will back up text messages, photos and videos, in addition to synchronizing address book contacts. Initially, 200MB of storage will be available, so keep those videos short.
9. Enhanced Internet explorer based on Internet explorer 6 technology with limited flash support.
10. Microsoft introduced Recite, a voice recognition app that searches through voice memos to helps organize your thoughts. If you’re a voice memo type of user, that is.
11. Global search feature to be included for easy and powerful search throughout the phone including text messages, emails, documents, multimedia and files etc.
12. New office suite will also support Office open xml files ( OOXML) which has been incorporated in winmo 6.5
13. Special focus is on communication features such as integration with social websites
14. Some aspects of the user interface have been redesigned with the home screen resembling that of Microsoft’s Zune player and the sliding panel interface of Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard

 Some of the business specific features and enhancements of windows mobile are following : 

1. HTML and data table support in email and outlook which was missing previously.
2. Integration with exchange server 2007 and tunnel feature to navigate through corporate intranet.
3. Business users can now access documents and files stored on a Windows SharePoint portal or through a UNC (universal naming convention) location or link from their Windows Mobile 6 devices
4. Business users can now search for old e-mail messages stored on their corporate servers using Windows Mobile 6
5. Smart Filtering feature for searching in emails, text messages and songs for quick and easy search.
6. Windows Mobile 6 has a feature that allows users to completely wipe out all data in their mobile phones, including those stored on memory cards, from a remote location. You can do this yourself using Outlook Web Access (via Exchange Server 2007) without having to go through a helpdesk. If you do get your mobile phone back, you can synchronise it with the corporate server to retrieve all your data again. Administrators can also block device hardware functionality such as camera or bluetooth.
7. A company can also enforce a policy, which sets an employee’s phone to automatically destroy all its data after a certain number of illegal login attempts (if it has password-protection).
8. In addition to encrypt storage card, you can encrypt the whole device, this includes calendar, contacts, emails and my documents folder.
9. Search also in corporate directory and saving into phone book/contacts
10. Sending VCARD via SMS
11. Upgraded calendar : quick view bar, usable weekly view,  view and add attendees
12. Search server integration of exchange server 2007, view results
13. Messaging keyboard shortcuts
14. Quickly empty deleted folder
15. Enhanced office mobile, power point presentation enhancements
16. Improved internet explorer.
17. Extended features are available with integration with Essential business server or Small business server for Windows mobile.
18. Centralized over the air management.
19. Advanced policy enforcement, inventory and reporting
20. Robust inventory and reporting tools
21. Mobile VPN providing single point of access to corporate network, always on with security enhanced wireless communication. Behind the firewall access to business applications.
22. FULL OTA provisioning, allowing IT professionals quick and convenient provisioning of new devices by enabling users with a self service enrollment model. This helps in saving of time and resources and reduction in helpdesk costs.
23. Advanced active directory integration and group policy expanded support. Active directory can be used to manage devices from centralized interface and enforce policies.
24. Software distribution capabilities for safe and convenient wireless distribution of software to specific users from centralized location.
25. Improved certificate support. Easier enrollment of certificates with support for new, more robust certificate standards.
26. Encryption support in Microsoft exchange server 2007 SP1, allowing S/Mime encryption and related encryption protocol enforcement.
27. PIM applications are also present in Windows Mobile but it requires capabilities to manage RSS/ATOM feeds and alert messaging etc.

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