GLOBAL - The best equipped device in the mobile segment today, HTC's HD2 is rumored to be to getting a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 7 as and when it is released in the fourth quarter of next year.

The device, being well-endowed in the hardware department with its 1GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm and a huge 4.3" capacitive touchscreen, is the first smartphone to utilise the multi-touch capabilities of Windows Mobile 6.5.

With Windows Mobile 6.5 widely considered to be a testing ground for most of the features of the elusive Windows Mobile 7, the HTC HD2 looks to be an ideal guinea pig to test the software capabilities of the next-generation mobile OS from the Redmond software powerhouse. The recently launched device from HTC has been receiving positive feedback from reviewers and users alike. Thanks to the HTC Sense UI super-imposed onto the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS, the software platform has shaken off its UI issues as well as brining ease of use to Windows Phones.

The recent leak adds on to the string of leaks on Windows Mobile 7 that have been surfacing on the web over the last couple of months. With the volatile mobile OS segment seeing an increased activity with an increasing number of manufacturers embracing multiple platforms, alongside manufacturers such as Samsung announcing their own platforms in Bada, the competition has gotten tougher for both manufacturers and platform developers. Not to be left behind in the race, Microsoft is making sure it gets visibility in this effervescent segment with periodic leaks and updates for its Windows Mobile and Office Mobile series.

With Windows 7 getting positive reviews from critics, Microsoft is looking to replicate the success in mobile platforms as well. If the Redmond giant is able to port its best OS in the recent times to the mobile platform, the company can capitalise on its improved market share in the desktop segment to push-in applications and services from the desktop platforms to mobile platforms.