Goodbye, Windows Mobile! Hello, Windows Phone 7 Series! Microsoft revealed earlier today their newest mobile operating system – the Windows Phone 7 Series at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Windows Phone 7 Series is not only a rebranding and a redesign of Windows Mobile but a completely new and fresh mobile operating system. This new mobile operating system looks like it was built from scratch because there are no traces of the old Windows Mobile – everything is brand new.

The biggest change and the most noticeable feature in Windows Phone 7 Series is the user interface. It is totally different and instead of the conventional grid of icons, it features big flat squares that are dubbed “live tiles“. These “live tiles” show different content ranging from frequent contacts to local information, pictures, music and videos, office apps, games and social networks or any custom app that can update automatically with information via the phone or the Internet.

Windows Phone 7 Series will be available late this year across all major wireless carriers in the US – AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint & T-Mobile USA; some big-name wireless carries in Europe – Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra & Vodafone; and in devices manufactured by hardware partners like Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm. Initial reviews for the Windows Phone 7 Series are positive and tech blogs or users who’ve had hands-on experience are all excited and raving about it.

Below is a short video featuring the user interface of the Windows Phone 7 Series.

Screenshots:

Windows Phone 7 Series was demonstrated using an unidentified prototype phone/mobile device that looked like a Zune, sparking discussions whether this device is the much awaited Zune Phone. It could be, but some sources are saying that it is not and that the device used at the Mobile World Congress was just Windows Mobile running a Zune client.

Just by seeing the hands-on photos from different blogs and websites and watching the video above, I can say that Windows Phone 7 Series is a cool mobile operating system.

For a more in-depth and hands-on review, check out Gizmodo’s article – Windows Phone 7 Series: Everything Is Different Now

Check out the official Windows Phone 7 Series website.

What do you guys think about Windows Phone 7 Series? Will it be a game changer in the smartphone/mobile world? Will it revolutionize mobile operating systems? Would you get the Windows mobile device with Windows Phone 7 Series when it comes out later this year? Please share your thoughts.

• David Airey’s Google search rankings drop, penalized for text link ads?
• Here’s a useful program that can help you with your computer memory upgrade.
• Learn how to maximize your time to maximize your profit with the Manila Freelancer.
• After upgrading his blog to WordPress 2.3, Allen shares tips on how to do a WordPress 2.3 upgrade.
• J David gives a few examples on how to use Flickr as a source of inspiration for typography.
• Do you know that Guam will be the first to enjoy Halo 3?
• Are you gonna attend Search Engine Marketing Conference or SEMCON Philippines 2007? My friend Joni is one of the attendees.
• Good news to PayPal users in the Philippines! You guys can now send and receive payments via PayPal in the Philippines. All I can say is, “It’s about time!”
• Leon shares his thoughts on the arrival of the new Microsoft Zune.

Have a safe and fun weekend everyone! :D

CNET senior editor James Kim is still missing. He and his family were last seen on November 25th. They were on vacation and drove up to the great Pacific Northwest. They were driving a 2005 silver Saab station wagon with California personalized plates of “DOESF.”

UPDATE:
Just today, his wife Kati and two daughters were found alive and well in Southwest Oregon.

If you’re into gadgets and technology, I’m sure that you know or have seen James Kim. I remember the first time I saw him on tv, it was on TechTV (which is now the channel called G4) which was on aired free for a short while in local cable channels in the Philippines. I also enjoy watching his reviews of the latest gadgets for CNET.com. The last review that James did was a review for the Microsoft Zune.

Thank God that his wife and kids are now safe. Let us continue to pray for James so that he would be found as quickly as possible and that he would be alive and safe.

Those with information about the Kim family’s whereabouts are asked to contact San Francisco police immediately at 415-558-5508 during normal business hours and at 415-553-1071 after-hours. The Portland Police Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit can be reached at 503-823-0446.

Click here to see the official Police report.