Microsoft's rumored "Pink" smartphone is actually two different models, as seen in a pair of leaked photos.
Just like yesterday's news of the "Courier" touch screen tablet, Gizmodo broke the news through an anonymous source, who provided little information on the phones other than the photos themselves. But the visuals do provide a glimpse into what Microsoft is planning. The two models are dubbed Turtle and Pure, though it's unclear if these names will stick.
Turtle, as the name suggests, has an unusually round shape, but manages to fit a full QWERTY keyboard and a generous-looking screen. Gizmodo describes it as "a chunky child's version of the Palm Pre." Pure is more traditional, with a keyboard that slides out along the length of the phone. Both models appear to be constructed of plastic, and the common theme is roundness.
Less is known about the operating system, which tends to be a crucial part of the package. The photos suggest something that's less business and work-oriented than the upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5. It's been rumored that Pink will be built off of Windows Mobile 7, but that still doesn't rule out something built specially for these devices. An earlier report suggests that Pink will have its own app store.
Sharp is reportedly manufacturing the phones, and will share branding with Microsoft. Again, this suggests a product geared towards younger users, as Sharp was the hardware maker behind the Danger Hiptop, a text message-oriented phone that later became the T-Mobile Sidekick.
All signs point to an official unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. That could put Microsoft on track to release Pink in late 2010, but at this point, no one at the company is going on record with anything.
