Actually, no one said it will never be available ever.
It was replaced with Metro, that's for sure, and development on it ceased. But "Killed" is a bit harsh- Project Pink was considered killed as well, and suddenly that's in the news again.
As was mentioned already over here (
http://www.mopocket.com/2010/03/phot...-have-been.php), Windows Phone is rumored to have a "classic" edition in addition to WP7 Metro. Meanwhile 6.5/6.5.x is said to be shipping to emerging markets as part of their "Starter Edition" line of products. SOooo... there's a chance Photon will be revived as Windows Mobile "Classic", since it is a new OS that seems to keep legacy application support.
Yes, elements of it were trickled down to 6.5.x, but that was only because Microsoft had to release something in the interim to hold over their fans (and to support capacitive screens- see this for more
http://www.mopocket.com/2009/11/wind...side-scoop.php).
Bottom line, 6.5.x is STILL crossbow internally. We want Photon. I don't think I care much for where Metro is going- looks cool, but not for me. And there is hope...