While Microsoft has been hard at work preparing for the release of Windows Phone 7, they've been planning another mobile OS, as well.  Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, announced today that the company will be releasing a new mobile operating system for embedded and enterprise devices that will be based on Windows Mobile 6.5.  An enterprise-focused version of Windows Phone 7 will be released in the second half of 2011.  The new OS, to be released in the next six months, will be called Windows Embedded Handheld.  Until the Windows Phone 7 version's release, Ballmer said that Microsoft will be helping businesses transition their essential applications to the new application platform of WP7.  When Microsoft originally announced Windows Phone 7, many were concerned about the effect the OS would have on businesses, especially with the stringent requirements in place for putting WP7 on a phone.  Now businesses will have a special OS for their enterprise devices and still be able to keep up with the latest and greatest Microsoft operating systems and updates.  While this news won't really affect mainstream consumers, it sounds great for businesses that depend on Microsoft's mobile OS to get their work done.

Via PCMag