With Microsoft recently having extended invitations for a mysterious April 12 press event in San Francisco, there are speculations that the event would probably focus on the introduction of Microsoft's new smartphone platform, which has been code-named "Pink;" as well as two new phones, code-named the "Pure" and the "Turtle."

Featuring the message, "It's time to share," the invitations - sent by snail-mail in circular package - are an indication that the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft is banking on its new line of mobile phones, featuring social-networking capabilities to attract young consumers, for bringing about a turn around in its struggling mobile-phone strategy.

Going by the information by sources `in the know,' the new "Pure" and "Turtle" phones, based on Microsoft's "Pink" development project, will hit the US markets later this month from Verizon Wireless - with the supposed catchphrase: "Make your network more social." The software, online services and hardware for the "Pink" smartphones have been designed by Microsoft; and manufactured by Sharp Corp. of Japan. The new phones likely boast social networking support for Twitter, Facebook, and the Zune music service.

Furthermore, the sources have revealed that the "Pink" phones will not run Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system; rather they will run a modified edition of the Danger OS with Windows CE as the core.