| Running Windows Mobile 6.1 on your desktop computer |
Apr. 21, 2008
Those eagerly awaiting the day they can get their hands on a Windows Mobile 6.1 device have a way to try the OS now, Microsoft says. The company has posted free emulators, along with instructions on how to use them to test System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM) if desired.
The new posting on Microsoft's TechNet website helps readers get through the somewhat complicated process of creating mobile device images. The posting was intended to help enterprise admnistrators begin testing the company's recently released System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM). However, the instructions provided also make it easier to set up Windows Mobile 6.1 emulation, for example to try web browsing via the revamped Internet Explorer, or to try the new Task Manager utility.
Open to anyone who is interested, the Windows Mobile 6.1 emulators are free and do not require the installation of any commercial programming tools, such as Visual Studio. They simulate either Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard or Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, with a variety of "device" resolutions ranging up to 800 x 480.
 
Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 (left) runs on a PC (right)
(Click on "phone" to enlarge)
 The Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard emulator sports a refreshed user interface (above left), with a repositioned menu and large icons for commonly used applications. Since it simulates non-touchscreen devices, it must be operated partly via an emulated keyboard (above right). The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional emulator (right) has a more traditional appearance and responds to a host computer's mouse pointer.
The Windows Mobile 6.1 emulators require 32-bit versions of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista. In addition, as WindowsForDevices.com has discovered, the host computer should be booted into Windows, rather than running Windows in a virtual machine via Parallels, VirtualBox, VMWare, or other third-party software. This is because the emulators need a network driver that requires installation of Microsft's own Virtual PC 2007 virtualization software, which is fortunately also downloadable for free.
The process of installing the Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard or Professional emulators is as follows, according to Microsoft:- Install Virtual PC 2007
- Install the Device Emulator software
- Establish network connectivity on the emulator.
- Validate Device Emulator connectivity
- Enroll the simulated device with MDM, if desired
Once Virtual PC 2007 and the Device Emulator software have been installed, the desired image can simply be selected from the host computer's Smart menu (below left). Once it has been started, it's necessary to open a configuration menu and bind the emulated network adapter to the physical hardware on the host PC (below right).
 
To use an emulator, pick one (left), then bind its network adapter to the host PC's physical hardware (right)
(Click either to enlarge)
With networking working, it's easy to check out Internet Explorer's new features (below left), consisting of "one column," "fit to screen," "desktop," and "full screen" display options. Task Manager (below right) monitors the programs loaded and amount of free memory. As in previous editions of the Windows Mobile device emulators, a shared directory on the host PC can be designed to act as the virtual device's "storage card."
 
Windows Mobile 6.1 has a revised Internet Explorer (left) and new Task Manager (right)
(Click either to enlarge)
It is possible to install just about any Windows Mobile application on the emulator that could be installed on an actual device. In particular, says Microsoft, the emulator supports MDM client tools that are included with the MDM Resource Kit. It thereby allows administrators to test MDM device enrollment, logging, software distribution and VPN issues.
To read the detailed TechNet posting on how to install the Windows Mobile 6.1 Device Emulators, and use them with MDM, if desired, go to the company's website, here. To obtain the MDM client tools, go here. To get Virtual PC 2007, go here.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of
Service and Privacy Policy.
Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008
Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is
prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.
news feed