Is This Windows Mobile 7?

We're trying to do some research over here to determine why these images exist and what they mean for future versions of Windows Mobile. We have some guesses...

These renderings come from a Mr. Robin Zhu, a man that seems to be responsible for creating interface concepts for Windows Mobile. In fact, it looks like that his Windows Mobile 6.1 concept with the sliding panel interface, shown as the top image below, came to fruition. Also shown on the gallery of screenshots is the T-Mobile Shadow Neo interface, which he presumably designed as well.

The other screenshots look very similar to the Windows Mobile 7 leaks that we've seen in the past (the one on the bottom). In fact, they are all based on the same design cues: battery life and signal strength on the bottom, pivoting lists, a centralized menu, cues from the Zune interface (especially in the media player) and many area of translucency. Most of these concepts also feature the link to Search in the upper right corner of the screen.

So what does all this mean? It means that we're getting closer to seeing what WinMo 7 is actually going to look like. It will likely take the form as a combination of all of these design concepts: one that is easy to code and that is scalable to multiple device types and screen resolutions, one that can provide a high level of performance plus a comfortable level of ease of use for the average user.

The fact that these screenshots show such a variety of designs may hint that Windows Mobile 7 will support a variety of user-customizable themes. Since Windows Mobile is hugely about customization, this would be logical.

For the full round up of concepts, check out the Chinese translated version of the gallery.

(via wmpoweruser)