A detail from Microsoft's Windows 7 site, and a sign of things to come?

A graphic on the Windows 7 site is fanning the flames of rumors that Microsoft will port its forthcoming PC operating system to smartphones. But even analysts who once entertained the thought are now doubting it will happen -- or should.

The artwork shows the Windows 7 desktop on a smartphone. Microsoft has given no hints of porting the upcoming operating system to mobile devices.

But observers have seen some reasons why extending Windows 7 to the desktop may make sense. Windows Mobile has been plagued with delays, with its version 6.5 only recently being announced. Windows Mobile 7 doesn't have a timeline at all.

Windows 7, on the other hand, continues to be lauded, is rapidly approaching a release candidate state and Microsoft has already said it would run on tiny, low-powered netbooks. For instance, Asus, maker of the popular Eee PC netbook, announced at the Mobile World Congress show a 3.5G-equipped Eee PC running Windows 7, giving users high-speed mobile broadband connectivity.

It also wouldn't be the first time a major OS vendor whittles down its desktop OS for mobile phone use -- that's the same play Apple followed in developing the iPhone. And Microsoft's not afraid to dabble in porting its flagship OS to different devices: pieces of the Windows subsystem found their way to the Xbox operating system, for instance.

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on the rumors. Still, all this has made for what some in the blogosphere believe are compelling hints on Microsoft's plans.

But analysts say it's not a good idea.

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