Earlier today we spotted the Sharp PB10ZU mobile phone when the device received approval from the FCC.  Label pics of the PB10ZU piqued our interest because they bore a striking resemblance to the Microsoft Turtle, a mobile phone that was first leaked back in September 2009.  After taking a closer look at the PB10ZU and the leaked images of the Turtle, we can conclude that the PB10ZU is in fact Microsoft’s first mobile phone (above).

The emergence of the PB10ZU corroborates reports that Microsoft is planning to unveil a new mobile phone at the Mobile World Congress on Monday, February 15th.  Microsoft is also expected to unveil Windows Mobile 7, a much-needed update to the company’s flagship Windows Mobile operating system for mobile devices.

Rumors of a Microsoft phone started in February 2008, when the company acquired Danger, Inc.  Danger, and its hardware partner Sharp, was responsible for the Sidekick mobile phone that developed a strong following among teenagers.

The purchase of Danger was an interesting move for Microsoft, since Microsoft previously focused solely on its Windows Mobile operating system for mobile phones.  However, Windows Mobile failed to gain significant market share in the mobile phone market and the OS was often criticized for being slow and difficult to use, especially when compared to other devices such as the iPhone.

While Microsoft certainly bears some of the blame for the failings of Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s hardware partners such as HTC and Samsung were also slow to develop compelling hardware for the OS.  Microsoft’s purchase of Danger signaled that Microsoft was willing to enter the mobile phone market with hardware, a risky strategy that would likely draw ire from the company’s hardware partners.

Fast forward to today, and we see that Microsoft’s efforts have produced an odd-looking mobile device that will likely run Windows Mobile 7.  The Turtle, which will almost certainly be released under a different name, is a dual band CDMA device that with work on Verizon and Sprint’s networks in the United States.  The Turtle also features WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as a slide out QWERTY keypad and a camera.

While we’re not quite sold on the design of the Turtle, we are curious to see what Microsoft has done with Windows Mobile 7.  There are rumors that Windows Mobile 7 will feature a Zune-like interface, which seems well suited for a device like the Turtle.

In any case, we’ll find out more in a few days.  A ton of news is expected from the Mobile World Congress, and if today’s FCC filing by Sharp is any indication, this will likely be a huge event for Microsoft.