The Internet is rife with rumors regarding the possibility of Microsoft releasing a pair of smartphones under its own brand. Code-named Turtle and Pure, the devices would mark a major departure from Redmond's strategy of being a mobile platform company only. Adding credence to the rumor are some pictures just posted by
Gizmodo.
Supposedly, these smartphones are being built by the team that brings you T-Mobile's popular Sidekick line—Danger, Inc. (the designer of these smartphones) and Sharp (the builder of many of them). Danger is now a part of Microsoft.
Just about the only things that may be known about Pure (see right)—shown to be a horizontal slider with a keyboard in the picture—and Turtle (see below)—also a slider with a QWERTY, but shaped more like a square—is that they will likely run on the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 operating system and they may be part of Microsoft's Pink initiative to bring Zune music and video capabilities to non-Zune devices.
Microsoft will roll out Windows Mobile 6.5 early next month and version 7 isn't expected until sometime next year. It is being reported that Microsoft may introduce Turtle and Pure during January's Consumer Electronics Show.
