Anticipated for months, Microsoft's Windows Mobile 7 is expected to be unveiled by CEO Steve Ballmer at the Mobile World Congress February 15 - 18 in Barcelona. Ballmer has scheduled a Monday press conference at the show.

After allowing its earlier versions of Windows Mobile languish, Microsoft is in the position of smartphone darkhorse to Apple's iPhone, Google's Android phones, and Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices. The software colossus will have to unveil something special to attract attention.

Predictions call for a consumer-oriented platform built on Microsoft's Zune HD player, but with links to Microsoft's traditionally strong enterprise products such as Office, Outlook ,and Exchange. Microsoft's Xbox and Bing search engine are expected to figure into any Windows Mobile 7 announcement, as are free navigation features.