Windows Mobile 6

[kellyt]

Microsoft Unveils Windows Mobile 6


Breaking all-new ground in the realm of worst-kept secret ever, Windows Mobile 6 (a.k.a. "Crossbow") has been officially announced by Microsoft. It's a bit earlier than 3GSM, which is where they were going to announce it originally. As such, there's nothing official to link to yet, nor do I have a swanky article all about Windows Mobile 6 because I'm waiting to get a device running the beta back from Microsoft (it's a long story).

Some of the highlights include:

• Full support for HTML email (within the limitations of IE Mobile's rendering engine of course)
• Office Mobile now included, with support for reading and editing Office documents on the Smartphone
• New streamlined functioning of email client: one click delete, reply, etc. Set email flags for follow-up.
• Set "Out of Office" function directly on the device (with an Exchange server of course)
• Windows Vista synchronization with Windows Mobile Device Center
• Calendar ribbon in the calendar application gives you the ability to see your free/busy time easier
• Windows Live client
• Call History is now a part of the contact itself, so you can see when you last phoned that person, etc.
• Internet sharing: there's a new built-in application to make using your device as a modem much easier

As per usual, this latest version of Windows Mobile is about more than just bullet points: there's a lot of background ("plumbing" work) to enable new and better devices. I've had some limited experience with Windows Mobile 6, and it's a solid step forward for the platform. There's nothing particularly amazing about it, but just like Windows Mobile 5 the total number improvements make for a better overall device. I know they've spent a lot of time improving the performance and stability of the operating system in general (which was already quite good in my opinion), but the real test will be the devices.

Everyone is wondering about upgrades I'm sure, but just like last time, it's too early to say what each of the OEMs are going to be doing - but stay tuned here for the official information as we get it!


http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com

[Drifter]

Good find, thanks for posting.

I wonder if Dell will even bother to take it us as they seem to be very quite on ROM upgrades at present for even the running X51 line

[Pedah]

Thanks Kelly, another great website, a bit green for me, but I hope the tweaks are productive. Is this "vista for pocket pc" just a band aid, or real stitches; ie, nice skin nothing else?

[Mahstah]

WM6 and WM5SE were announced early last year. WM6 is not due for release until '08, WM5SE is due out very soon.

I expect Dell to release a ROM upgrade for the X51 series for WM5SE.