Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3 for Windows Vista

Mahstah · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 02:52 PM

Microsoft has released Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3 for Windows Vista, a replacement for ActiveSync in its next generation operating system. ActiveSync has gone the way of the dodo in Windows Vista, replaced by a similarly functioning Device Center that is much more appealing aesthetically and functionally.

Aesthetically, Windows Mobile Device Center is improved over ActiveSync in it usage of smoothly animated transformations in menu selection and window opening. Functionally, it offers file transfer speed increases over ActiveSync. It was nearly instant transferring the screenshots below to the Axim, whereas ActiveSync file transfers lag in comparison.

After installing Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3, I plugged in the X51v. Vista recognized the device instantly:

scr01.JPG

After device recognition, Vista set up the ActiveSync 4.x reminiscent Windows Mobile Remote Adapter, the virtual network connection Windows Mobile 5 uses to sync:

scr02.JPG

After the device was fully installed, the Device Center initial configuration screen was presented:

scr03.JPG

Using the Device Center, you can install programs in a familiar fashion:

scr04.JPG

PIM synchronization is now possible as well:

scr05.JPG

Windows Vista is shaping up to be a usable operating system for mobile device users such as AximUsers. For those of you who are technically inclined (and that means YOU!), it’s worth a test run on a partition of your fastest computer available.

zoeydanielle · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 09:35 AM

Can it be used on any computer? I am runnng Windows 2000 at work and XP at home.

Mahstah · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2006, 09:38 AM

Unfortunately no, it's only for Windows Vista. I too would prefer to have its nicer interface than ActiveSync 4.x.

jplumey · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 09:59 AM

Does it support network sync? I curse the day MS took away network sync from ActiveSync.

Mahstah · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 10:37 AM

Unfortunately network sync appears to be forever banished as "too insecure" by Micrisoft. I don't know why they don't offer it as an option with a simple security warning. An example, manufacturers put "do not eat" on every silica packet, they don't stop making them because people might eat them.

However, you can use free software like emoze to push PIM sync data wirelessly from anywhere with a wifi connection.

Drifter · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 12:27 PM

Interesting, but the last news I herd was that delivery on Vista was slipping further behind with some sources reporting that the bugs are so big that it will probably never be launched.. well not as it currently is

Mahstah · #7 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 12:32 PM

It already has been launched to MS's largest corporate customers, little do they know they're all bugtesters.

spinnzinn · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 03:37 AM

i love MS's modo: "Ship it now, fix it later!!"
Zinn

Pedah · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahstah

It already has been launched to MS's largest corporate customers, little do they know they're all bugtesters.

It's ingenious really, launch something that's incomplete and politely ask the users to report errors so that they can be addressed. Great overveiw, begs the question, "have you upgraded ?" or are you playing with someone elses PC. lol. I'm toying with the upgrade but I don't want to give in to the hype.

Mahstah · #10 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedah

Great overveiw, begs the question, "have you upgraded ?" or are you playing with someone elses PC. lol. I'm toying with the upgrade but I don't want to give in to the hype.

I haven't "officially" upgraded, Vista runs on one of my test PCs. However, Vista is a very nice and usable OS, expect it to become the next de facto standard.