Windows Mobile "Crossbow" reviewed

The speculation is over kids, mobile-review got themselves a copy of the next major release of the Windows Mobile OS and slapped up a review for all to see. Codenamed "Crossbow," the mobile OS is expected to hit sometime in the first half of 2007 under what can be assumed to be a Windows Mobile 6.0 moniker. Although, as the review points out, a full numeric update is a bit generous as it could just as well be dubbed Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition given the lack of new features. For that, you'll have to wait another few years for Photon which will finally unify the Pocket PC and Smartphone divisions -- it's the former (a near-RTM development version) under review. So, now that your expectations are fully deflated, what are we looking at? To start with, most of the new functions in Crossbow are meant to play nice with the 2007 release of Office and Exchange. Just to run down the highlights, we're getting a fully revamped Outlook Mobile app with new Vista-inspired sounds and themes, Windows Live integration featuring Live Search Mobile, Live Mail Mobile, Live Messenger Mobile (which, ironically, was first available on Symbian S60 3rd edition deivces) all available direct from the Today screen, VoIP (SIP) support bundled into the phone-related part of the system, and Smart Dial 2.0 integration for fast search through contacts just like WinMo 5.0 SmartPhone edition. We're still looking at a typical 64MB ROM / 64MB RAM footprint and a minimum 200MHz CPU. Overall, the system performance is speedier throughout due to continued efforts at optimization started with AKU 3.0. There are few more changes of course but what we're looking at here is not an attempt to leapfrog the competition, rather, Crossbow is an effort just to keep the pace which ain't all bad. Oh, and good news for HP and E-Ten device owners, you'll likely have the option of updating to the new OS via a firmware update -- everyone else had best get to pestering their manufacture or trolling the torrents for the bump.

[Thanks, Eldar]

[Costas @ Nov 21st 2006 9:14AM]

Hmmm.... I wonder if their Internet Explorer is any better than the pitiful versions of PocketPC 2003 and WinMo5.

Having used Symbian's brilliant OSS browser on the S60 3rd Edition series, I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to anything less than a full desktop-feature capable browser and Pocket IE has always been anything but...

[chuck @ Nov 21st 2006 9:45AM]

really stragne review. they just mention SIP client in passing while it's the single most important point.

[Jonathan Keim @ Nov 21st 2006 10:10AM]

I'm going to get a smart phone, I will definently be waiting for this new version

[quiksilver @ Nov 21st 2006 10:40AM]

Looks like Microsoft tried to get all the main features on the home screen. A search field and Windows Live on the home screen? Seriously....

I'll pass...

[Wayne @ Nov 21st 2006 11:12AM]

You can customize what apps and icons are available on the Today screen.

[jacin @ Nov 21st 2006 11:59AM]

Crossbow is NOT Windows Mobile 6.0, but Windows Mobile 5.3 (AKU 3.0).

[Kiteless @ Nov 21st 2006 12:15PM]

Would love to check this out on my Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard). Over all I am happy with WinMo 5. But it still leave a lot of room for improvement. Anyone know if this will be compatable with the HTC Wizard?

- Kiteless

[Cam @ Nov 21st 2006 12:48PM]

My HP hw6945 is arriving tomorrow (Wed.) I'm relieved to know HP will be offering this release of Windows Mobile as a firmware upgrade even though the additional features are just ho-hum.

[Galley @ Nov 21st 2006 2:45PM]

Hmmm... redefines the word "busy".

[Jeff @ Nov 21st 2006 4:00PM]

Nice.

[Lewis Christopher Smith III @ Nov 21st 2006 6:51PM]

Another spectacular update for Microsoft, eh? Any chance that I can actually view and send SMS messages from the T-mobile SDA yet? It took me weeks to figure out how to view an incoming message!

[Mitch @ Dec 14th 2006 5:49PM]

Either you're kidding, or you're such a mega-noob that you have no business using devices like this. Clearly, anything over a RAZR is way over your head.

You couldn't even figure out how to press the right softkey, labeled "Message," when a new text came in? Wow.