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I was chatting up Leigh Geary of coolsmartphone.com about what his expectations were from Mr. Gates at tomorrow’s CES keynote.  With the iPhone entry, Google’s Android looming like a specter, we (both Leigh and I) are looking to Windows to bring something new to the table.  Will Bill deliver something outstanding in his last CES address as CEO?

What do you see as the main issues with Windows Mobile?

” The changes between Windows Mobile 5 and 6 were hardly noticeable to the average Joe, and this needs to change or Windows Mobile just won’t be able to compete in the
consumer space without yet more help from HTC, who are already showing their frustrations by signing up to the Android project.”

So, Leigh what would you suspect Microsoft should do?

“Bill Gates, I would hope, should get the guys at Zune and Windows Mobile to at least talk about the next version of Windows Mobile.”

Leigh and I agree that Microsoft has either decided the Windows Mobile OS is business specific or don’t care about the average Joe.  But as more and more of these phones creep into the non-business realm, the UI’s short coming is becoming more apparent.  Leigh hit the nail on the head, stating:

“What’s shocking is that one-man-coders like www.pointui.com can develop a better (and free) user interface for Windows Mobile than Microsoft can. I mean, who’s really seen a change in that standard “Today” screen on Windows Mobile since 2002? If you have, you can bet money it didn’t come from Microsoft.”

So will Gates show us a Windows Mobile TS (touch screen)?

“I can only hope that Microsoft will turn up the pressure and come out with a strong, fast, glossy interface for consumers.”

Leigh and I both like our Windows Mobile phones, but know it could be done much, much better.  We’ll know tomorrow if Gates agrees.
Read more from Leigh [coolsmartphone]