Looks like Microsoft will have to endure fierce competition in the smartphone arena with Windows Mobile 6.5 for the large part of 2010 - what with recent reports about Windows Mobile 7 been pushed back to the fourth quarter next year!

Though Microsoft had not mentioned any specific release date for its new mobile platform, the push back news is with reference to earlier rumors about the platform's expected release.

The news about the supposed postponement of Windows Mobile 7 launch came from Phil Moore, Microsoft UK head of mobility, during a Q&A session at the London 'Connect!' summit. Moore said: "It (Windows Mobile 7) has been put back until late next year but it is definitely coming."

Saying that users can expect to "see a lot more on Windows Mobile 7," Moore added: "Giving the enterprise users and consumers what they want will be part of Windows Mobile 7. You'll get flexibility on a much easier touch UI."

However, the "late next year" push back will imply that by the time Microsoft's new mobile platform starts shipping, rival 'updated' products from Apple, RIM, Google and even Palm, would have made their way into the market - there might be tough-to-beat competition from a fourth generation iPhone OS; a sixth generation RIM OS; a second generation web OS; and a likely exponential progression of the Android!