Windows 7-Windows Mobile integration: What's coming when?

So far, the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) agreed to by attendees of Microsoft's Winter Mobius confab seem to be sticking.

The roughly two dozen bloggers, analysts developers and others hand-picked to get a sneak preview of Microsoft's Win Mobile plans this week aren't at liberty to share a whole lot about what's going on. There are a few hints which can be gleaned via attendees' Twitter postings, however.

I've seen Mobius attendees discuss Microsoft's latest Windows Live for Mobile plans (at least parts of which are not covered by NDA); the fact that they've been shown some kind of Windows Mobile roadmap; and the Mobius-branded Flip HD cameras that Mobius attendees received as gifts.

But it's Windows 7-Windows Mobile integration -- or lack thereof -- dominated many of the Mobius-related Tweets. Several attendees expressed frustration and dismay about what they saw and heard regarding Microsoft's plans there.

"Nice, 15-20 mobile devices supported by the Windows 7 beta, but NOT a Windows Mobile device," tweeted ZDNet Mobile Gadgeteer blogger Matthew Miller.

"WinMo *must* have better integration with Win7. Be a key part, even. But I'm worried that the Win7 team doesn't feel the urgency," said Sascha Segan, a writer with PC Magazine.

"Windows 7 Beta has no Windows Mobile support. It will be coming but shouldn't that be an assuption, not a 'later build' item?" asked attendee Clinton Fitch.

The Redmondians have been emphasizing as part of Microsoft's current Windows ad campaign that Windows and Windows Mobile connectivity is designed to be seamless and painless. Microsoft officials have committed to improving peripheral and mobile phone connection and management via a new Windows 7 feature known as Device Stage, but haven't shared much more publicly regarding the company's Windows 7-Windows Mobile integration strategy and rollout schedule.

Mobius, according to the conference site, is:

"an invitation-only community of the world's most influential technology pundits and online writers. The collective insights, opinions and influence of Mobius drives market trends, industry buzz and the buying behavior of people worldwide. Mobians interact behind the scenes with companies big and small to shape the direction of devices, services, pricing, design and the culture of consumer technology."

At past Mobius events, Microsoft has shown off next-generation releases of its Windows Mobile platform, and company officials have discussed mobile industry trends in general. This Winter's event sounds no different, with Microsoft sharing Win Mobile roadmaps and demos.

The Windows Mobile team no doubt have a lot of questions to answer and explaining to do to appease the attendees. The Mobius show comes at a time when Microsoft is under siege for its mobile missteps.

Recently, company officials admitted they are going to ship a new version of IE for mobile in the next month or so that will only work on new phones, not even those running the current Windows Mobile 6.1 release. Windows Mobile 7 slipped from being a 2009 to a 2010 deliverable. And then there's that mysterious Win Mobile 6.5 release due out next year, which Microsoft needs to pack a punch to counter the Apple iPhone and phones based on Google's Android platform.