| Microsoft unleashes Windows Mobile 6 |
Feb. 12, 2007
 Following a surprise early unveiling last week, Microsoft formally rolled out Windows Mobile 6 today at the 3GSM technology show in Barcelona. Among the key improvements in the platform are new messaging tools, enhanced security, and support for Microsoft Office features "previously available only on PCs," according to the company.
CTO Pieter Knook introduces Windows Mobile 6 at 3GSM
(Click to enlarge)
Overall, Windows Mobile 6 has been described by reviewers as an "evolutionary" advancement relative to Windows Mobile 5.0, rather than a revolutionary bottoms-up new OS. Consistent with this characterization, Windows Mobile 6 reportedly is based on Windows CE 5 base OS technology, rather than on the newer Windows CE 6 OS that was released in November.
Several enhancements have been made to the email client. Windows Mobile 6 lets users view emails in their original HTML format with live links to Web and SharePoint sites, so that text and images are displayed as they would be on a PC, Microsoft says. Additionally, email management and setup have been simplified, with nine new "one-click" options including Reply All, setting a flag, moving a message to a subfolder, and Delete.
Another key enhancement in Windows Mobile 6 is better support for Microsoft Office documents, the company adds. Users will be able to view, navigate, and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting, without affecting tables, images or text, and to view PowerPoint presentations.
Security features have also been upgraded. Enhancements are said to include new Exchange Server policies and certificate options, and storage card encryption. These features augment existing Windows Mobile 5 support for remote and local device wipe, in the event a device is lost or stolen.
Although no specifics were cited, Microsoft said that Windows Mobile 6 will make it easier for operators and device-makers to integrate VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) "solutions" into their devices.
Windows Mobile 6 also includes a new, built-in application that simplifies the use of a Windows Mobile smartphone as a high-speed modem for a laptop, via either Bluetooth or a wired connections, according to the company.
Microsoft reportedly also announced a new DRM (digital rights management) scheme, called PlayReady. The technology will allow operators to "lock down not only music but any kind of content -- whether it's wallpapers, videos, images, ringtones, or games," according to a story at PCMag.com. "It supports multiple content formats, too, including AAC and H.264, where Microsoft's previous DRM solutions only supported Windows Media. PlayReady is designed to work in Windows Media Player 10," writes PCMag.com editor Sascha Segan.
Another, nontechnical, change reportedly involves how the various versions of Windows Mobile are designated. Relative to Windows Mobile 5's versions, the three versions of Windows Mobile 6 reportedly will change as follows:- "Smartphone Edition" becomes "Standard" -- for mobile phones without touchscreens
- "Pocket PC Phone Edition" becomes "Professional" -- for PDAs with touchscreens and mobile phone capabilities
- "Pocket PC Edition" becomes "Classic" -- for PDAs with touchscreens, but lacking built-in mobile phone functionality
Availability
Knook reportedly showed new Windows Mobile 6 phones made by ASUS, HP, HTC, i-Mate, Toshiba, Motorola, and Samsung, during the Microsoft press conference that unveiled the new mobile software platform.
 Microsoft said it expects devices running Windows Mobile 6 to reach market in the second quarter of this year. In Europe, Orange plans to offer the SPV E650 smartphone from HTC, and in the U.S., the T-Mobile Dash will be updated with Windows Mobile 6 and be available in the coming months. Current T-Mobile Dash owners will also be able to upgrade existing devices from Windows Mobile 5.0 to Windows Mobile 6.
Further Info on Windows Mobile 6
Further details on Windows Mobile 6 are available here:- Introductory video -- Microsoft will present a one-hour introductory video featuring Group Product Manager Chris Hill tomorrow, Feb. 13, at 9:00 am Pacific Time.
- MSDN blog posts -- More details from a developer's perspective are available from blog posts on Microsoft's MSDN developer website, here and here.
- Windows Mobile 6 review -- An early review by our sister site, PCMag.com, is available here, and a screenshot slideshow is here.
- Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 site -- Visit Microsoft's website for an Introduction to Windows Mobile 6.
Also, see the "related stories" below.
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
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