Sneak Peek at Windows Mobile 2005 (Magneto)

Years of waiting for Microsoft to release something more than an incremental (bug fix) release to Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone will finally be rewarded later today. At the CES Keynote, Bill Gates will preview the new Windows Mobile OS. Pocket PC gets an entirely new interface which uses two soft buttons, just like Smartphone. Smartphone's interface gets a small overhaul to match the new Pocket PC exactly. Both OSes can be used one-handed, just like the new UIQ 3 or Palm OS 6.1. Also like those, both versions will support a wide variety of resolutions.
Microsoft has added Wi-Fi support to Smartphone, and has added persistent memory to Pocket PC, basically bringing the two OSes in line both feature and application -wise. The two things that will set Pocket PC apart are continued support for a touch screen, and Office applications: an improved version of Word and Excel (that finally support charts and text formatting!) as well as a pocket version of Powerpoint. Other software improvements will include picture syncing for Outlook contacts, a new Pictures application and a new version of Windows Media Player 10.

[Digital Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Wow, I hope my Samsung i700 can handle WinMobile 2k5. That looks great. I'm running PPC 2003 on my smartphone and it works well, it is just so damn unstable.

[gorkon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Don't get your hopes up on a upgrade for your PDA without buying a new one.

[Marke @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I'm sorrrrrry, "set Pocket PC apart are continued support for a touch screen" umm- is somebody dropping support for a touch screen?

[Iceman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Smartphone never had support for a touch screen. It's one of the main differences between Pocket PC and Smartphone, and this difference continues.

[murph @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I want the new Samsung i730 slider w/keyboard and a Windows Mobile 2005 upgrade!! drooooool...

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Yea does anybody know what current handhelds will eventually be able to be upgraded? I would love to throw Mobile 2005 in my x50v!

[Patrick @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

How much would it cost becuse I just spent a ton of money for my pocket pc to go out and buy brand new os

[fredsign @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Well here are all of them

http://davesipaq.com/news/004364/windows_mobile_2005_revealed

[RT @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

who needs freedom when you've got a blue interface?!

sign me up!!

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Lawyers representing Microsoft (MSFT) have demanded that Engadget, Jason Calacanis' Weblog about computers and consumer electronics, remove a recent commentary item about the company's Windows Mobile technology. A letter from the law firm of Covington & Burling said the posting on Engadget.com "violates Microsoft's intellectual property rights" and threatens charges of trademark infringement and trade secret misappropriation if it is not removed. According to an entry in the blog, Calacanis called the attorney and suggested, "Perhaps someone from Microsoft should just call me and explain what the issue is."

[Amit Agarwal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Nice

[blogless brother @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Sounds like we may have a winner with 2005
I currently run ppc 2003 on my asus a620, I'm resetting this thing as much as I did with windows 98, only thing missing is the blue screen of death.
I would love It if my pda could handle the upgrade to somthing stable

[Carmi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I'd like to ask for a time-out from the unabashed cheerleading and litigious posturing to comment on what this announcement will actually mean to real people.

Microsoft has been promising a viable mobile platform for years. Yes, each new release has improved incrementally over what was previously available. And, yes, Microsoft has solidified its position in the PDA/converged device OS space.

But is this really revolutionary, or simply a tweak on the same old theme? I suggest the latter. And anyone who waits with baited breath in the hope that he/she will be able to upgrade an existing device (doubtful, but one can dream) and achieve mobile nirvana is once again buying into the hype cycle that defines this market.

Carmi Levy
http://writteninc.blogspot.com

[Mountain/Ash @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Did you get in trouble for this article? Tut tut.
http://www.optusnet.com.au/news/story/zdnet/20050127/09/tech/0,2000061733,39178666,00.inp

[Bicoz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Hmm. hi all =))

[_Pyro_ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Oh great....new OS....but can my Acer N10 (ppc2003) handle it??

hope so...

[Junu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I would like to buy a new Ipaq with windows MOBILE 2005 pre installed, any idea when windows will release mobile 2005?

[e-mail]

ThankS!

[Junu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I would like to buy a new Ipaq with windows MOBILE 2005 pre installed, any idea when windows will release mobile 2005?

[e-mail]

ThankS!

[Keiran @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Wow. This is hilarious. Microfost (TM) really is a bunch of jokers. I've had my acer n10 for almost 2 years now (paid just a little over 230 US for it new) and I am laughing at how miniscule the difference is between it and brand new devices. How can an industry driven by such tremendous potential CONTINUALLY miss the mark and wonder why their market share is small. They expect people to keep upgrading their devices at hits of up to 700 dollars US or more for just the tiniest little addition.

When are these big companies going to get off their butts and actually listen to and address the needs and wants of CONSUMERS?

No wonder the consumers are slow to buy. The products don't merit it.

What really amuses me is that companies like Microfost rely on what has been called a "hype" machine to generate sales. Then they reach out and bite the hands that are working to feed them and fill the marketing CHASM that afflicts this whole poorly handled industry.

Even funnier is that it then becomes so plainly obvious that they are working hand-in-hand with the companies who are likewise trying to milk sales of their remarkably lopsided devices (compare HP 27xx series to asus a730w to pocket loox 720 - none of them are actually top-of-the-line in everything but they are all top-of-the line models most of which have included nearly useless technologies (have a look at these "cameras" - don't waste my money installing crap when you haven't even brought the rest of the device up to speed yet)) as much as possible until things finally come together in a way that was technologically possible a year ago.

Shame on you - you financial monoliths! Shame on you for ignoring us consumers!

PS. I Microfost may or may not be the same as Microsoft, therefore nobody can say that this website is fostering ill feeling towards MS for that.

[jimi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I really can't believe how many of you nay-sayers are out there... I guess its because most of the people who read this site are techno-consumers instead of techno-producers... I write applications for a variety of mobile devices and I am ecstatic for this next upgrade. I'n sure it will be somewhat based on Windows CE 5.0, but i think MS is waiting until they can release it with the .NET compact framework 2.0.

But seriously folks, all of this mobile device convergence coupled with extensive support for different wireless protocols and simple application development is going to lead to some seriouslifestlye cahnges within the next year.

[Rem @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

I think one of the big differences between Microsoft Windows 2003 for Pocket PC Second Edition and Windows 'Magneto' (The 'code name' which is much less of a mouthful, and actually sounds better than 2005 - but I digress) is that it supports NAND Flash Memory. This means that should your PPC/Smartphone battery be completely drained you won't lose anything. It supposedly has better support for Wi-Fi too.

[Juriaan Hiddink @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Can someone give me an anser about mij hp ipaq 3970 if wm2005 can be installed on it and how do i do that because i install activesync 4 and started the upgrade but he can upgrade my pocketpc?

[Babz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Hey people,

Does anyone have a copy of the Windows Mobile 5? if so Can you mail it to me? I'm REALLY excited about it and want to put it up on my I-Mate JAM!!

Babz
[e-mail]

[vicky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

plz plz plz mail wm5

[e-mail]

[alex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:41AM]

Hy everybody! i have on my poket Pc the 2003 version of windows mobile.I found on the net the 2005 version but I am Having trouble installing it.When the Poket PC is clossed an error apears telling that it was an error conection.And when it is on it tels me that the AC power cable is not bluged in.PLEASE HELP!! I have always wanted 2005!!!