Windows Mobile 6 review roundup

Now that the mobile world has had a little time to digest Microsoft's latest offering, we thought we'd take this opportunity to circle back, put our ear to the ground, and have a look at some of the press Windows Mobile 6 is generating. LAPTOP Magazine spent most of its time with a Standard device ("Smartphone" in the Windows Mobile 5 world), and although the OS bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor in pretty much every respect, the review manages to focus on the positive: Office document viewing, improved stability (our apologies if we just jinxed anyone), and the modestly improved Pocket Internet Explorer. PC Magazine took a more critical view of Microsoft's failure to revolutionize its mobile platform, passing on correcting some of its more serious flaws -- the lack of true process management possibly the biggest -- but still calls it "the best mobile operating system out there," giving it big props for smooth Vista integration and little efficiency boosts like the email client's SmartFilter. CNET draws the same conclusion about Windows Mobile 6 being evolutionary rather than revolutionary, pointing out that many basic tasks still require more clicks than they should, but the bundled Office apps were a crowd pleaser. As far as we're concerned, the biggest news here is not the software but the new (and varied) hardware that's being launched to run it -- at least until Microsoft gets serious about a next-gen mobile UI, anyway.

Read - LAPTOP Magazine (3.5 / 5, '...less intimidating and more approachable...")
Read - PC Magazine (4 / 5, "...doesn't disturb the OS's underpinnings or solve some of its deeper problems...")
Read - CNET (7 / 10, "...brings a collection of noteworthy improvements...")

[ComoNetwork @ Mar 1st 2007 10:46AM]

Who needs windows?! iPhone all the way!

http://www.comonetwork.com

[Matt @ Mar 1st 2007 11:14AM]

Come one Im an apple fanboi too and im not dissing windows mobile. Seriously STFU about the iPhone until june.



http://apple-group.blogspot.com/index.html

[wako @ Mar 1st 2007 10:53AM]

Thats good to hear good things about WM6. However, as a first time user of Windows Mobile, I am wondering how I will be able to upgrade to the new OS. It doesnt seem like Tmobile will be helping me anytime soon..

[Ayle @ Mar 1st 2007 11:04AM]

Answer: you have to know if your manifucturer will release a wm6 version for your device or you have to have a htc wizard( mda vario ) wich has a leaked rom or a htc universal.....

[itguy07 @ Mar 1st 2007 10:58AM]

Yay. More Windows junk. Windows on the Mobile is a _HORRIBLE_ experience and one that is best avoided.

Way too many "clicks" to do the simplest of tasks and with all the unreliability of standard Windows.

Windows' UI is poor on the desktop and ABYSMAL on the Mobile.

[theefman @ Mar 1st 2007 10:59AM]

iphone? Can you install your own apps, customise your UI, sync with Outlook, type an email with one hand, decide which form factor you want? The iphone is ok for the normal sheep who salivate over anything Apple produces but anyone who wants more than an video ipod with a phone attached or wants to be productive would be better served with a Windows Mobile or even Symbian device.

[wako @ Mar 1st 2007 11:00AM]

Oh and as for the first comment by ComoNetwork...


I dont see why people would want the iPhone. From what is being said, you get what you see. There doesnt seem to be much room for customizing, which begs the question, whats so good about it? Other than the GUI integrated with the touch-screen UI, there isnt much else to offer. Everything else the iPhone can do has been done on the Windows Mobile. With third parties actually allowed to make apps and things to further customize WM, there are no limits with Windows Mobile.

Until Apple opens up the OS on the iPhone so I can install other applications I want, other than easy apps like Dashboard widgets, I wont be considering iPhone as my next phone.

[Jon @ Mar 1st 2007 11:15AM]

Sorry MS, too little too late. You tricked me into trying WM5, but you won't trick me again. I've moved from an HTC Apache to a Treo 700w and then to a Motorola Q in the last 12 months, trying to find a model that doesn't make me curse its maker's mothers. Such a beast doesn't exist. I thought my old Nokia S60 phone was slow, but these things are absolutely glacial. The only thing they are reliable at is a guaranteed daily crash.

[flamer's grill @ Mar 1st 2007 11:27AM]

I have the Apache and I love it... but I didn't love it when I first took it out of the box. I've had to spend many hours tweaking it (which I don't mind, really - it's sort of a hobby) to get it to where I am very satisfied with it.

I hope with WM6 is that Microsoft has learned from their mistakes in the past but also, more importantly, has learned some lessons from the online community. The tips and tweaks and registry edits and programs you can find at sites like PPCGeeks should be integrated into WM6 out-of-the-box so the normal everyday consumer, like Jon up there, doesn't have to spend hours making his device usable.

I love my Apache, but I don't begrudge anyone who hates it, or Windows Mobile in general. The possibility for a fast, stable, attractive and enjoyable WM experience exists - I am proof of that. Hopefully this experience will now come right out of the box. If not, why is WM6 being released at all?

[theefman @ Mar 1st 2007 11:32AM]

The biggest problem with Windows Mobile is the carriers. MS releases updates called Adaptation Kit Updates that fix problems, however the carriers either take forever to release them or dont release them for current hardware but rather in a totally new device to force users to upgrade. WM6 introduces Windows Update to WM so hopefully this situation will no longer occur, especially if you buy an unlocked device.

[saq @ Mar 1st 2007 12:04PM]

I've been running WM6 on my HTC Hermes for about 4 days now and it has been fantastic. The HTC Hermes has an already speedy 400mhz samsung processor, but WM6 certainly kicked noticeable speed up a very big notch. The most apparent improvement is in file system related performance. It used to be opening the My Device/Windows folder would take a good 20 seconds to open up while it cataloged the hundreds of files in that folder. Now it opens in under 3 seconds. This improvement in raw file system performance gives a considerable apparent boost nearly everywhere else.

One thing that the reviews mentioned that is pretty true, is that WM6 seems to be mostly the same as WM5, because it is. WM6 is kind of like the Windows XP to Windows 2000. Lots more polish, lots of tweaks, but the fundamental core is pretty much the same. Thats not a bad thing. The real WM "Vista" release is Photon, which will be Windows Mobile 7, next year.

Theefman hit the nail on the head. Both the WM OS and each AKU (think service pack) they release goes through MANY layers before it reaches the consumer.
First it goes to the ODM (like HTC) to get driver updates working and run it through the basic tests. Then it goes to the carrier(s) so they can throw their crapware on, brand the shit out of it, test it on their network, and make a list of things that need to be fixed. Then it goes back to the ODM who address the carrier issues, then it goes back to the carrier for final review.

The reason people are generally displeased with Windows Mobile devices is that they use them on a CDMA network, like Verizon or Sprint. Because Verizon and Sprint account for 95% of CDMA device sales, they get first say in features and updates. Verizon sells the most CDMA devices, and they also hate their custmoers and especially PDA Phones the most. A PDA Phone is an advanced device that lets the user run all sorts of applcations WITHOUT, and here is the important part, WITHOUT sending a dime back to the carrier. This pretty much goes against Verizons very core, and so they are going to spend the least amount of time and money on these devices as possible as there is very little incentive for them to do so.

The XX-6700, Moto Q, Treo 700w are all plagued by poor carrier support and problems that their GSM equivilants simply do not have.

The moral of this story? If you want a good PDA Phone experience, ditch your CDMA carrier.

[crackpipe @ Mar 1st 2007 12:07PM]

For the record, Windows mobile CANNOT do everything the iphone can. The non-linear voicemail feature being just one. Have you watched all the videos of the iphone features? If not then do your research, guys.

Listen I have the T-Mobile Dash and I've concluded that WM5 is a total POS. I can't imagine that WM6 will really be all that much better. I think T-Mobile is giving Dash owners free upgrades, though. And I will upgrade if that's the case... with the hope that it will improve the experience to some degree. Anyone know when and where T-Mobile will be handing that out?

[craig @ Mar 1st 2007 1:49PM]

"For the record, Windows mobile CANNOT do everything the iphone can. The non-linear voicemail feature being just one. Have you watched all the videos of the iphone features? If not then do your research, guys."

Well, crackpipe, Windows Mobile is a platform while the iPhone is a device. There are plenty of things that WM5/WM6 devices can do that the iPhone can't but you can cling onto your voicemail feature if you want. I'll take my real keyboard, thank you, plus the open development environment that allows 3rd parties to extend the device without the blessing of the Almighty.

"Have you watched all the videos of the iphone features?"

Yes I have. Where's the IM application? They call this an internet communications device with no keyboard and no IM? HAHAHA!

"Listen I have the T-Mobile Dash and I've concluded that WM5 is a total POS."

You may think the Dash is a POS but there is no other device on the market that I think is better. I've owned Treos, SE Symbians, the Nokia E61, the Pearl, the WM5 touchscreen devices and nothing is better than the Dash or the Blackjack. The Samsung is faster but the battery life is poor and the screen is smaller. WM5 Smartphone isn't as stable as it could be but it's easily the most stable smartphone I've ever had. Those who criticise WM5 for being too clicky have never used a Nokia E61!

"I can't imagine that WM6 will really be all that much better."

Good to see you're as open-minded about a mature platform as you are about the iPhone vapor-phone. "crackpipe" is right.

[zorg @ Mar 1st 2007 1:13PM]

Seriously, WM{56} talk reminds me of the film Moon over Parador, where "Parador" is a fictional nation with a "president" who runs as the candidate of both parties. Some citizens try to have thoughtful discussions about which party they'll vote for, Red or Blue.

MS has the hardware makers by the balls, so people are basically relegated to discussing whether different offerings from the monopoly are better than others.

[Rick P @ Mar 1st 2007 1:28PM]

Upgrading to WM6 will be highly unlikely as mobile operators and phone makers would rather you spend your hard earned money on a new one.

http://djrickp.com

[saq @ Mar 1st 2007 2:18PM]

Well said Craig, but you forget how much hype counts for when it comes to apple fanboys. Thats half of what Apple devices really are. Decently built devices with a slick look, and lots and lots and lots of hype. Sadly, the Apple community LOVES the hype and eats it with a S-eating grin.

Feature wise the iPhone is NOT anything special, and is actually pretty poor. PDA's with full touchscreens have been around a LONG time. Guess what? Touchscreens blow for keyboard relpacements. That is why the industry as a whole has adopted some form of limited qwerty hardware buttons. This was not a hastily made and foolhearty move on proven industry veterns like Nokia, Motorola, HTC, and Samsung.

When you want to compare the REAL features of an iPhone, its basically just like the rest, except more limited. No 3rd party apps (a smartphones lifeblood), no 3G (poor showing by Apple, really), and no hardware keyboard (slow typing).
The only two things it has going for it is the multi-touch screen (thats still in there right?) and Apple hype.
Once its been around for 6 months and people who know how to properly get the most out of a PDAPhone like device, we'll see if the OS is any good. I'm predict its pretty much the same as the others. Anybody who really knows how to use a PDAPhone isn't complaining about 'clicking' too many times. If they are using WM they are using something like SPB PocketPlus with all the important apps on the today screen and have a hardware button mapped to OK. That means apps are only ever 1 button press and 1 screen click away.
PocketPlus also allows you to kill running processes easily, along with many other apps.

[Grown Ass Man @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:12AM]

SEVERE WFS ALERT (Windows Fanboi Syndrome)
The 4 Classic Symptoms Never Change:
1. "Haterism" - Ruthless trash-talking of Apple for making YET ANOTHER superior product. (Dual-Boot Macs, OSX, the iPod, the iPhone, etc.. the list is endless )
2. "Thievery" - Followed by a few months (or years) of trying to emulate, reverse engineer, or just 'downright steal' all of Apple's 'unimpressive' technology debated in Symptom 1.
3. "Intimidation" - Try to find a way to sue MS competition 'out-of-business' just for being smarter... or better.
4. "Bandwagon-ing" - When all else fails, make a flawed attempt to release a 'patch', 'upgrade', or 'new product' that incorporates 'said technology'. Then claim victory in the "Innovation Wars".
------------
Your pathetic.
Take a Midol and STFU.

[Jacob Varghese @ Mar 1st 2007 2:47PM]

Guys, take one look at that screen and you see everything that's wrong with Windows mobile. It's so f'in cluttered. This could so easily cleaned up. Do you really need your IM avatar and your name on the home page??? Come on.

It seems like every time you critique Windows Mobile and compliment mobile MAC OS X, people categorize you as another Apple fanboy. At the end of the day, the competition from Apple, will help improve all mobiles OSes.

[saq @ Mar 1st 2007 4:36PM]

Jacob,
I think you should become a little more familiar with Windows Mobile before critiqing something like the today screen being clutteed.
You can customize the today screen to only have the information you want on it, it is very flexible that way.

[resource @ Mar 1st 2007 5:13PM]

The Dash is getting a free upgrade in May I believe. According to the T-Mo rep.

WM 5 is decent and WM 6 can only make it better.

Why can't the iPhone be good in its own ways and a WM 6 phone be good in its own ways?

These Mac/PC bitchfests have moved to the mobile realm.
Jesus Christ. Now there is going to be twice the level of bitching.

[resource @ Mar 1st 2007 5:13PM]

The Dash is getting a free upgrade in May I believe. According to the T-Mo rep.

WM 5 is decent and WM 6 can only make it better.

Why can't the iPhone be good in its own ways and a WM 6 phone be good in its own ways?

These Mac/PC bitchfests have moved to the mobile realm.
Jesus Christ. Now there is going to be twice the level of bitching.

[Brian C @ Mar 1st 2007 6:56PM]

While I like the improvements of WM6, I am very happy with my JASJAM running WM5. Very stable for the most part. Syncing with Vista is very simple. I also use it as a 3G USB wireless modem for my laptop when I am traveling and staying in hotel. I also installed Adobe FlashLite for running some fun games. And of course GoogleMap :)

I wonder why some keeps saying iPhone is great. It can do none of the above.

[nike @ Mar 1st 2007 9:58PM]

Looks good to me. But yeah, MS need to go next gen nxt time around to stay ahead of the competition.

[mo kim @ Mar 1st 2007 11:21PM]

WM6 has buggs...

well on the tomible dash.. non-touchscreen qwerty lay out.. the numbers 1~9 are mapped as alphanumeric ( ie , 2=a,b,c instead of E) when searching through contacts.

[sapu_duo @ Mar 2nd 2007 12:18AM]

Microsoft always repolished the ui of their new os, but they always forget to polish the ugly scrollbar

[Grown Ass Man @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:00AM]

SEVERE WFS ALERT (Windows Fanboi Syndrome)
------------
The 4 Classic Symptoms Never Change:
------------
1. "Haterism" - Ruthless trash-talking of Apple for making YET ANOTHER superior product. (Dual-Boot Macs, OSX, the iPod, the iPhone, etc.. the list is endless )
------------
2. "Thievery" - Followed by a few months (or years) of trying to emulate, reverse engineer, or just 'downright steal' all of Apple's 'unimpressive' technology debated in Symptom 1.
------------
3. "Intimidation" - Try to find a way to sue MS competition 'out-of-business' just for being smarter... or better.
------------
4. "Bandwagon-ing" - When all else fails, make a flawed attempt to release a 'patch', 'upgrade', or 'new product' that incorporates 'said technology'. Then claim victory in the "Innovation Wars".
------------
Your all pathetic.
Take a Midol and STFU.
Bunch o Bitches.

[ubios @ Mar 2nd 2007 11:32PM]

SEVERE WFS ALERT (Who f'kin cares Fanboi Syndrome)

1- Posts nonsense that when looked upon can be applied to him/herself.

2- Posts it twice


Don't just take one... take the whole bottle.

[nike @ Mar 3rd 2007 9:01AM]

Looks good to me. But yeah, MS need to go next gen nxt time around to stay ahead of the competition.