Zune Thoughts: Leaked WinMo 6.5 Screenshots Hint at Marketplace

"We're just days away from Mobile World Congress where Microsoft is expected to make a few notable annoucements. Until then, we have to settle for all the hints and innuendo we can gather as Redmond attempts to win back the hearts, minds, and pocketbooks of consumers infatuated with Android, WebOS, and whatever Apple's got cookin'. Like these supposed 6.5 screenshots above, this time showing what looks like a Marketplace store a la the Zune. We also have CNET reporting today that Microsoft quietly split its Zune team in two on January 22nd: software and services under Enrique Rodriguez, and hardware under Tom Gibbons who just happens to heads-up hardware design at Microsoft's Windows Mobile unit."

If true, we could be seeing a major paradigm shift from Microsoft-managed end-to-end device and software services, to opening up the Zune experience for more devices through Windows Mobile. Whatever the case, I can only hope Microsoft decides to release this internationally so that we can finally start to see some real sales. Mobile World Congress is only a few days away, and I can't wait to see what they show off.