It is assumed that Microsoft will debut Windows Mobile 6.5 at the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona next month. Digitimes reports now that Microsoft is delivering Windows Mobile 6.5 mid-year to device makers like HTC.
This would mean the first Windows Mobile 6.5 powered smartphones would hit the market in Q3 and most of them actually in Q4 2009.
In the meantime Microsoft lets Android build up its momentum with new handsets like the rumored G2 and Palm can have its run on the smartphone market with the Palm Pre without competition from WinMo phones. Apple is also expected to surprise us with a new iPhone this Summer, which would then also still be available before the new Windows Mobile 6.5 phones.
It is likely this schedule also applies to the new rumored mobile cloud services SkyBox and SkyMarket. Maybe the rumor is false and Microsoft can tighten the schedule with Obama's mantra: Yes We Can!