Windows Phone 7 is expected to launch sometime this fall. With some tech analysts already getting a preview of the operating system, Windows Phone 7 is hoping to reinvigorate the Windows mobile platform. In true Microsoft fashion, the lineage of Windows mobile solutions has had a somewhat rocky start. However, they do tend to use their impressive cash reserves to slowly eat away at the market until they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with (the lineage of Internet Explorer, anyone?).

With a newly designed home screen that has interactive tiles updating regularly with new appointments, emails, etc., Windows Phone 7 appears that it is taking the power of Windows but, once again, making it too convoluted to be an effective tool. Largely reminiscent of the Zune operating system, Windows seems to have redesigned its older mobile platform to the same look and feel. With many of the features seemingly copied from iPhone (Find my Phone, while not original to Apple, has a distinct look and feel which Windows seems to be liberally borrowing), Microsoft seems to be repackaging others' ideas. While Windows Phone 7 will most likely be a solid phone, it's extensive borrowing of existing technologies makes it a day late and a dollar short in my book.