Photo: Gizmodo

Microsoft, who are set to unveil Windows Mobile 7 on Monday at the Mobile World Conference, have their own cellphone in the works. Codenamed Project Pink and called Turtle in blogging circles for its turtle-like shape, an FCC report has surfaced confirming both the manufacturer and some previously unknown information.

A Sharp device

Photo: Microsoft

The FCC graph confirms that Sharp is making this full QWERTY device. This is unsurprising, since the T-Mobile Sidekick manufacturer, Danger, that Microsoft acquired back in 2008 had their handsets made by Sharp, too. The additional revelations made by the FCC document confirmed it was a slider phone, like those leaked images suggested, with Dual CMDA, Bluetooth and wi-fi b/g.

Catering to an underserved audience

Project Pink is aimed at teens, many analysts believe. With an unusual aspect ratio that looks more square than the rectangular resolution many have become accustomed to, Turtle is likely aimed at those looking for painless music playback functionality and social networking. In doing this, Microsoft would be avoiding the highly competitive and highly lucrative Smartphone landscape for a demography that was once every manufacturers focus area prior to the iPhone’s release. This strategy, if it pays off, will allow Microsoft to sell Windows Mobile 7 to its partners without the scrutiny of competing in the same market with its own phone, like Google has had to contend with in releasing the Nexus One.

Additional devices

The remainder of the FCC documents will surface 29 March, which could have something to do with Microsoft’s planned release date for Project Pink. Additionally, an alternate model is alluded to, with the Turtle being assigned the code PB10ZU, and PB20ZU being for a currently unspecified device. Microsoft may very well have a two- step strategy in tackling their target market.

Release dates are as yet unconfirmed.