Windows Mobile

Microsoft recently announced the latest update to its mobile OS and application suite—Windows Mobile 6 (WM6). Manufacturers now have this version of the software, and we should start seeing mobile devices based on it in retail channels in the coming months. We published an initial review of the new software, from the perspective of the enterprise user, in the April/May 07 issue of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine (http://pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Apr07/windowsmobile.aspx). This review takes a look at it from the perspective of the general user.

Although Windows Mobile 6 includes some significant enhancements, the reviews I have read seem conflicted about whether this is a major or minor upgrade. Well describe the changes before we give you our two cents on the conflict.

Minor UI enhancements add up

When you select the Start menu, you'll notice that the program icons have a more three dimensional look to them. Its visually pleasing and gives Windows Mobile a Windows Vista look, but its not a big thing.

The Today screen (top) and Home screen (bottom) have changes that make it easier to access new features, including the Windows Live search bar.

There are some changes to the Today/Home screen that make it easy to access some of the new features. For example, the application launch icons that appear at the top of the Home screen on Windows Mobile Smartphones are larger and easier to see. In addition, a search bar has been added to the Home and Today screens on all versions of the software, allowing you to access Windows Live services (described below). In addition, the next Calendar appointment is displayed in a larger window at the bottom of the Today and Home screens.

Phone and Messaging enhancements

WM6 includes a number of enhancements to the phone and other communications capabilities of these devices. For example, on devices running the Professional version of the new software, all you have to do is start entering a phone number and the Phone Dialer pops up along with Smart Search of your contacts call history just like you get on Standard (smartphone) devices.

Windows Mobile 6 devices will be able to receive and display HTML-formatted e-mail.

There have also been some useful changes to the messaging capabilities of the devices. The most obvious enhancement is that you can now receive and view HTML-formatted e-mail messages on any WM6 device. Additionally, you can flag messages with a follow up icon, which may come in handy. There are a number of other changes to Messaging that relate to those using WM6 devices with Exchange Server 2007. We discuss these in the last issue (http://pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Apr07/windowsmobile.aspx).

The e-mail account set up procedure has been simplified and now uses a wizard to walk you through the process. Also, Windows Mobile now supports the creation of up to 8 separate e-mail accounts. In addition, Messaging has a new Smartfilter that makes it easier to find messages. All you have to do is go to the list view and start entering a word, e-mail address, etc., and Messaging will filter the items and display only those that meet the criteria. This feature works similar to the way Contacts filters its entries. Finally, Messaging now includes a number of shortcuts that make it easier to use the program. For example, press R on a QWERTY keyboard or 2 on a number pad to reply to a message, O / 6 to forward a message, etc.