Conjecture is heavy that Microsoft is due to release a radical update to the Windows Mobile interface, which basically looks the same today as it has since the Windows CE era. (That's not a knock; today's PalmOS is still virtually identical to the original Palm Pilot.)

Windows Mobile 6.1, based on screenshots, the new Windows Mobile looks quite impressive. As WMExperts notes, it looks quite similar to the custom OS that Microsoft, Palm, and Vodaphone developed for the German Treo 500v. You can catch video of that OS in action here. Based on the rumors, the new OS reminds me a lot of Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. Major categories are lined up in a carousel of icons at the top of the screen. When you pick one, additional actions appear in the space below. (Check the screenshot above for a sense of this.) It looks to be much more efficient than both the dated Windows Start Menu and the disorganized Palm grid of icons. I'm a fan already.

Additional improvements allegedly on tap include better Wi-Fi support (though most Windows Mobile devices I've tried of late have perfectly fine Wi-Fi), better Bluetooth, and potentially a Zune-like media player interface. Rumor has it the update will be announced in February, released in May 2008.

I've got a lunch with the Windows Mobile team at CTIA next week (watch for coverage from the show from both Ben Patterson and myself), but I sadly don't expect them to confirm the launch until next year. Watch this space for any updates. 

LINK: Windows Mobile 6.1 Coming with New Interface?