Windows Mobile 7 was initially intended to be released during 2009, but several delays caused Microsoft to release 6.5 instead as a placeholder. Windows Mobile 7 will be demoed by Microsoft at Mobile World Congress in February 2010 , as well as their MIX conference in March 2010 but the release date is not certain:
After speaking with multiple sources, we’re now certain that we won’t be seeing Windows Mobile 7 before World Mobile Congress in Barcelona in February 2011.
We spoke with representatives from Microsoft, Lenovo, Qualcomm, TI, Nokia, nVidia, HTC and many more and they all had just one message – Windows Mobile 7 is delayed until 2011 and the focus is shifting to Google Android and even Chrome OS as a way to battle the competitors during 2010. link