Windows Mobile 7 won’t be ready for primetime until next summer at the earliest, CNET reports. Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) hasn’t formally announced when the much expected overhaul of the operating system would be released, but some partners were hoping for something by early next year. Microsoft has been up-front about its plans to enable more capable devices and better user interfaces with the next version of its long running mobile OS.

The longer Microsoft takes to upgrade and breathe new life into Windows Mobile, the more likely it is lose customers and hard-fought-for market share to Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and BlackBerry – all of whom will have released fresh operating systems by the end of this year. While Windows Mobile 7 is about a year out now, incremental improvements to version 6 are expected sooner. Improved browser functionality with a rendering engine capable of displaying Flash content and Ajax applications is still expected later this year. “Customers don’t have to sit back and wait,” group manager Scott Rockfeld told CNET (NSDQ: CNET). “There’s tons of stuff coming from us and our partners.” He also said Google, Apple and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion are “trying to own the services” and that has carriers worried about becoming dumb pipes. “We’re happy sharing the limelight.”