In a few moments, Steve Ballmer is going to announce the 6.5 update for Windows Mobile. No, it’s not the long expected and much rumored Windows Mobile 7 release. A pity? Not really. 6.5 alreay brings you a lot of new goodies focused on “easier to use” features. The RC is scheduled for April 09, and some internal sources mention that the RTM is scheduled for late-summer/early fall.

What’s new in “6.5”?

• Fresh new look and improved usability
• Enhanced mobile Internet experience
• New business productivity capabilities
• New consumer messaging solution
• New service for sync, safeguarding and accessing phone data online
• Photo experience with Windows
• New device portfolio

Enjoy a fresh look and feel:

• New interactive user experience* (Home, Lock, Start, widgets, RIAs)
• New visual experience and design* (themes, 24-bit, and active icons)
• Experience improved usability
• Navigate with “finger touch” and gesture experiences
• See more at-a-glance
• Personalize your phone
• Have fun with new themes, wallpapers, and ring tones
• Access unique applications

The Web at your fingertips

New widgets framework

Jump to Favorites right from home screen

Best-in-class level of interaction

Completed 81% of Web scenarios vs. Opera Mobile 9.5’s 33% completion rate

Brand new user-interface

Easily navigate with touch-friendly interface and redesigned Favorites

New UI that enables full-screen view

Faster performance and better zooming

Quicker access to Web page content due to continuous zoom and faster panning

Build for the Web, target everywhere

Many developers already specialize in ASP.NET

On-device widget framework allows micro-apps

Keep your life connected

Unified and visual inbox for voicemail and e-mail *

Access, sync and archive SMS inbox *

View and manage combined work and personal calendars

Be more efficient

Sort and view e-mail by conversations

New visual icons for your inbox

Improved call management and go directly to notifications from the lock screen

Faster search with Internet Explorer Mobile 6 auto complete suggestions

Keep consistently connected

Access consumer services (e.g., MMS), while connected to corporate VPN

Some Visuals from the dev kit:

Expand on the home screen

New Professional home screens available

Add plug-ins to highlight custom applications and services

End user can change the home screen at any time

Design your own home screen

Full partner ownership between title and softkey bars – build your ultimate layout and content

Create an unlimited number of additional home screens; choose which is first launched

Showcase high-profile and Internet services

Continue to customize Standard home screen as in Windows Mobile 6.1

Home screen for Standard devices maintains the 6.1 visual style

Replace entire home screen if desired, respecting title bar and soft key requirements

Adding a hardware Start control unlocks more flexibility

• Remove software Start control
• Replace or hide soft keys on the Home screen
• Hardware Start control launches new Start menu

Start Menu Customization

Appealing Start experience

• Visually striking honeycomb design
• Touch gestures control the “infinite” list
• Active icons with glanceable notifications
• End user can change contents and order

Flexible layout

• Infinite Start Menu
• Customize “Phone” icon in position 4
• Choose apps and services for all remaining positions
• Positions 1-3 are used for Microsoft-defined features

Greater personalization

• Personalize the background image
• Add widgets or widget manager to Start menu
• Add your own 24 bit, alpha blended icons

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Releases, Mobile. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.