Microsoft reveals Windows Mobile 6
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Microsoft has unveiled Windows Mobile 6, the newest version of its mobile software platform. The new operating system for mobile devices improves usability and adds support for Microsoft Office features previously available only on PCs delivering to the small screen a familiar and rich experience that meets the needs of work and life while on the go, says Microsoft.
New features introduced in Windows Mobile 6 include the ability to view e-mails in their original rich HTML format, a Smart calendar bar which gives users the ability to view the day or week ahead and quickly determine open time on their schedules, and improvements to contacts, such as the ability to view call history in each individual contact card.
Many of the built-in application suites and utilities have also been updated. The Pocket MSN suite has been renamed as Windows Live for Windows Mobile and delivers web search, e-mail, instant messaging (IM) and blogging all from one location via Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Live Search and Windows Live Spaces. Windows Live Messenger replaces MSN Messenger and adds the ability to chat with more than one person at a time, animated icons, and file and image transfers.
Microsoft's Mobile Office suit has also been improved bringing capabilities once available only on the PC versions of these products to the small screen, claims Microsoft. Word and Excel documents can be viewed, navigated and edited in their original formatting, without affecting tables, images or text. However, the ability to work with PowerPoint presentations is still limited to view only.
Support for Direct Push Technology enables up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. Windows Mobile 6 also offers a set of device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen. Also support for Information Rights Management (IRM) technology allows organizations to control the viewing, storing and printing of confidential information.
E-mail management and setup has been made easier and nine new one-click options have been added, including Reply All, setting a flag, moving a message to a subfolder and Delete. Additionally, a new built-in application makes using a Windows Mobile 6 powered smartphone as a laptop's high-speed modem "one-click easy" with either a Bluetooth wireless or cable connection. Integrating support for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solutions is made easier for operators and devices makers.
Windows Mobile 6 powered devices are scheduled to be available by the second quarter of 2007. Taiwan handset companies including HTC and E-TEN are confirmed as working on new products based on the new operating system.