Initially 7.0 was supposed to be still somewhat of a stopgap, while 8.0 was supposed to be the version that competed with the iPhone, Android, and all the other new-gen OSes that kick WM's butt when it comes to the basics of usability, style, and cohesive designs. I'm thinking that they've realized they can't afford for two full generations to go by before they're finally there and they're reprioritizing. 6.5 is now the stopgap, with updates likely to IE and other core applications, and probably better standard app-launchers and today screen functionality, among other things. Also probably some level of standard gesture-based controls. Then 7.0 will "bring the wow" and be the full-on drastic overhaul that they were originally waiting for 8 on. My guess.
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Here's what I'm thinking:
Initially 7.0 was supposed to be still somewhat of a stopgap, while 8.0 was supposed to be the version that competed with the iPhone, Android, and all the other new-gen OSes that kick WM's butt when it comes to the basics of usability, style, and cohesive designs. I'm thinking that they've realized they can't afford for two full generations to go by before they're finally there and they're reprioritizing. 6.5 is now the stopgap, with updates likely to IE and other core applications, and probably better standard app-launchers and today screen functionality, among other things. Also probably some level of standard gesture-based controls. Then 7.0 will "bring the wow" and be the full-on drastic overhaul that they were originally waiting for 8 on. My guess.