It’s no secret that Microsoft is working on Windows Mobile 7, but is the company planning to release an interim version of the mobile operating system first? That appears to be the case, with Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha recently revealing plans to launch a phone based on Windows Mobile 6.5 in the second half of 2009 – and an Android-based device in the latter part of 2009.

While no other specific details were mentioned, the 6.5 version number suggests that while not a complete overhaul, this may be a more significant upgrade than what the current Windows Mobile 6.1 represented. Last we heard, though, Windows Mobile 7 was also scheduled for a second half 2009 release, so hopefully Microsoft will come forward with more information on this now that Motorola has let it slip.