Buzz is starting to get white-hot over Microsoft's plans for
Mobile World Congress next month with a number of cloud services and a fresh UI -- presumably
Windows Mobile 6.5 -- heading up the rumor pile, and if
Digitimes is even close to right on this latest bit, an MWC unveiling is almost guaranteed. The publication is citing "sources" (oh, those wonderful "sources") at Taiwanese handset manufacturers saying that the first volley of WinMo 6.5-based devices will hit in the third quarter of the year with major volume following on in the fourth quarter, just in time for the holidays. These guys are well overdue for a serious overhaul and they
have to be feeling the heat coming off the Palm camp right now -- among others -- so let's hope that window sticks.
posted Jan 21st 2009 2:29AM
Anyone think there could be a rom update for the tile when this comes out? I'd hate to have to get a cooked rom again.
I found an SPB Mobile Shell version of that interface. It was fun, but not official.
The interface looks amazing for finger access--one thing that my Samsung Epix seems to be crippled on because of the interface--even custom skins like RLtoday or TouchUI seems to run a bit laggy, despite the powerhouse of the processor inside (it multitasks like a BEAST, wifi is pretty snappy as well--free from data plans, yay!)
Let's just hope they can shoehorn this to WinMo 6.1 Pro phones soon after the release...
and cross fingers for capactive touch support.
Capacitive touch shouldn't be too hard. HTC built it into the Diamond, although in the area below the screen, kinda like the Palm Pre.
Actually the diamond has a resistive touch screen. The buttons and scrollwheel area feature capacitive touch input.
Umn... THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
Learn2read
Looking to get a new phone soon so heres hoping winmo 6 is upgradeable to 6.5 on high end current smartphones.
It will be even if not officially.
Xda Devs will make sure of it.
knowing that 6.5 is suppose to be a somewhat more significant overhaul than 6.1 was over 6.0, i hope they dont make it compatible. Reason being, i want MS to finally support capacitive touch
Oops didn't read closely enough. My bad.
I just hope I can update my HTC w/ windows M. 6.1
Sweet. Now WM users will be only 2 years behind Apple/Android
Yup, we're only 2 years behind.
So we won't be feeling the pinch of the economic crisis 'til what? 2011?
Another Engadget post, another idiotic fanboy that has to mention Apple in everything; this one just happens to be called matt.
yeup, us WM users are 2 years behind apple. and i guess the iphone is 7years behind the nokia 3300 monochrome phones which were capable of sending MMS. seriously, get off your self perceived high horse ya jackass.
...and iPhone is a year behind Pre.
Sweet, so in 2 years I can look forward to getting rid of the following annoying features:
Install anything I want from any programmer, and choose from LITERALLY MILLIONS of applications, including proper GPS navigation
Ability to replace the interface on a whim
A2DP
Ability to choose which carrier I use
Desktop-class browser with Flash
MMS
Copy+Paste
Proper integration with Exchange
ACTUAL Push support
High-resolution screens
Individual contact call logs
Background applications
A modding community that is actually supported by the developers, rather than actively fought
Service on a non-shitty carrier with an ACTUAL 3G network
Upgrades to Google apps that don't involve re-flashing my firmware (and thus come faster and more often)
J2ME support
Voice command
Phone tethering
Physical keyboards (often, not always)
Ability to use a touchscreen with things besides my fingers (gloves, back of a pen, stylus)
Chinese character support
...
Man, I can't wait for WindowsMobile to catch up! I'm so sick of having all those things and not being able to....wait, where is the iPhone ahead again? Oh right! Goofy animations and a UI that consists of page after page of tiny icons. Except I can add those.
And where did two years come from? Are you saying that Windows Mobile is (right now) where the iPhone was when it came out? Because I'm pretty sure the iPhone is right where it was when the iPhone came out. What has changed?
Gosh you Mobile-fanbois sure are a fickle bunch. It's clearly an argument you collective Mary's lost a long time ago. I mean, bless your little hearts for trying but come on, the iPhone and/or Android beats ANY Windows Mobile phone like a rented mule.
And at $199, it's not even close.
I'm at least relieved that you clowns gave up on the "iPhone Killerrrr!!1" moniker that you give any photoshop-shiny prototype piece of vaporware crap that HTC published every other week....that won't get released to North America until Q4 2013. That only plays 64kbps DRM-infected WMA files. That has a 12 Megapixel camera but lacks a $4 wifi chip. Who's only spec highlight is that it has a removable/replaceable battery.
Now I'm not saying that the iPhone cures erectile dysfunction (check your email for that kind of product "O RLY"), but in a relatively short time, the iPhone has phased out Windows Mobile. It is no longer relevant. It's like Mark Cuban calling himself a Techie. People these days only have Windows Mobile because it came with your free-after-rebate "smart-fone". There is absolutely nothing alluring about WM. Never has, never will (unless they've copied some fresh Apple/Android style or functionality). Knowing Microsoft, probably style.
This is like when IE7 came out with "Tabbed Browsing" - Most of the civilized world already had Firefox or Opera for that. I am amazed at how many naive chumps hang out on Engadget. Don't blame me for your low standards. Nobody gives a damn that you can view your Excel spreadsheets on your "smart-fone".
Matt has spoken.
No one cares if they can access a excel spreadsheet on a smartphone??? Are you serious, that is what a smartphone used to be about, being able to work from outside of the office without having to take your laptop everywhere. All the iPhone has done is tarnish the name of a smartphone, sure it has a pretty UI, but it can not meet my work needs, or even begin to. The iPhone is not a true smart phone by any means, it is nothing more than an Ipod touch with a phone added in, and its on a crappy network with little to no 3g in most areas. You will be hard-pressed to find anyone who truly has a need for a smartphone settle for that joke of a device.
It's nice that we can have healthy debate over what one phone (or OS) is better than every other phone (or OS) on the market for every person in the world. I have gotten a lot of real work done with my smartphones of the past several years. (Since my background is in Accounting/Finance, that has included Excel spreadsheets.) The iPhone -- with all of its glitz -- is not at the point where it could meet the requirements I have. You, and many others, may have different needs which the iPhone meets. That's great. That is why there are so many phones for us to choose from.
One phone (or OS) is not going to "kill" another phone (or OS). What kills devices and platforms is lack of innovation. Apple innovated and is succeeding as a result. Google/HTC did as well. We will see the result of Palm's innovation in the coming months. What we will not see, though, is the failure of Windows Mobile just because these others are succeeding. Microsoft is well-entrenched in this game and since they already have most of the computers running their software, they have the advantage of being able to integrate a little more seamlessly.
In the end, most of us will carry the devices that work best for what we do or what we want. That's the only true measure of what phone is better than any other.
Sorry everyone, I don’t know matt. But let’s be truthful here. As an ex-treo user (windows edition, so don’t get it twisted), now converted to crackberry Storm, only do to the fact that (FACT, F A C T,,, Verizon wireless is the BEST cellular company on planet earth) I’m a Verizon diehard. If and when the iphone becomes available for other networks, that will be the final straw for winMobies. I like the Storm, but I like my iTouch better. Not only is the iphone better then any winMoby device, it connects to Microsoft Exchange better then any winMoby can dream of. YES! IT/network guy here, saying that. No lie. I have seen many people prefer iPhone/exchange combo more then any other combo available. Crackberry comes close, but nothing like the iPhone. It puts a frown on my face when I say that. Windows messaging works better on the iPhone. I tried to fight that fact guys. Diehard Windows guy, here. But true. suicycle.com I don’t have an iPhone but I grant you that the iPhone has a # of apps for anything you are trying to do.
I say sorry, because matt hit the nail on the head when he said and I quote “Don't blame me for your low standards”, this is truth. I was a winMoby user for years, and hated every year with those devices. I would have been $400K richer if I would have spent the time invested into winMoby devices, collecting cans from dumpsters.
You ask “serious”, like a heart-a-ttack! WinMobies wish the could have 10% of the apps, 5% the functionality, and 2% power/performance of an iPhone. So yes, 2 years ahead sounds about right, in fact matt thanks for being kind to these guys. Your statement could (should) have been worse, and still be correct.
The Cell Device Grade: IPhones ---------> Crackberries ---> new winMobys coming out in 2012 -> that free phone you get when signup for a new cell account --> the Go phone (pay as you GO!) -----> today’s Windows Mobile devices.
It’s hard to hear, but raise your standards and Microsoft will be force to do the same. Because right now they are losing that battle, and maybe soon the war.
My Peace.
Also sorry for the double post. I meant this as a reply post. Admins Please delete the my post at the bottom.
I don't understand this honeycomb menu, but if it works, then I don't care about the design.
Its a nice design... though its not by Microsoft. Its just a photoshop mock-up. You can notice the font size and alignment of the Alarm/Contacts and Lock/Move options...
And the biggest flaw is the battery and network strength postions. They are different in both screenshots :)
And it uses Apple icons...
Don't forget the fact that this is not an official Microsoft's new Windows Mobile interface,
This 2 years old rendering with OSX's today icon is not MS's.
so when you see Apple's icons, you automatically assume this ISN'T coming straight out of Redmond?
makes sense.
PS. Only MS would launch Windows Mobile 6.5 just as Windows 7 is gearing up for launch on the PC. LOL *shakes head... Genius
Even after they arbitrarily name Office "14" just so it can be paird with 7.
so when you see Apple's icons, you automatically assume this ISN'T coming straight out of Redmond?
makes sense.
PS. Only MS would launch Windows Mobile 6.5 just as Windows 7 is gearing up for launch on the PC. LOL *shakes head... Genius
Even after they arbitrarily name Office "14" just so it can be paird with 7.
If it wasnt for HTC's innovative devices, WIndows Mobile would of been dead already.
Its the most outdated pile of crap, the ONLY thing going for it right now is Exchange and various third party apps.
It shouldnt be up to HTC, Samsung and various other parties to *cover up* WinMos shortcomings. We are in the finger friendly phase and Microsoft aint doin crap to catch up. From what ive seen 6.5 will just be as bad...looks like just a Today plugin. That wont fix WinMos problems by a long shot.
I have a Touch Cruise..and at XDA Devs we are *so* close to getting a fully working copy of Android. Ill be switching once GPS is working, its the only reason i have stayed with WinMo...because it has Navigation software..but im happy to put up with Google Maps if it means i have Android.
whether outdated or not, they still have a large base and they still are capable of doing things other devices can't. So you bashing them about how outdated it is isn't gonna change peoples minds because shit still needs to get done and WinMo provides for it.
I dunno. When I got mine it was the only thing I could find with 3G, GPS, Exchange, tethering, streaming media, QWERTY, and a few other features. Those have finally become more of the norm but as much as I like to follow this stuff I'm not made of money and I am not going to buy a new $200-400 smartphone every 6 months or a year. This summer/fall I will likely get something newer and depending on what MS, Palm, Apple, RIM, etc. have available I will choose based on the available features then. This is a good chance for them to update WM to be competitive again. I don't see how that is anything other than a good thing.
I would have to disagree with that, I have a Sprint Touch Pro, and I have disabled the TF3D and just use the old today screen, I am able to have instant access to all of my information without having to scroll through to find it. While it was flashy and all, TF3D is not very friendly for some WinMo users. I have also used other shell's in the past on my Titan, Touch, and TP, but I always end up back at the old today screen.
Forget the UI overhaul launch version 7.
Exactly. What seems to be clear, though, is how little attention they have paid to Windows Mobile in the past couple of years. Now they are playing catch up.
Oy, another case of the analog/digital clocks not lining up. Especially ironic with the word "smartphone" in the same picture...
You realize this is an old photoshop mockup, right?
I really hope MS adds Window7's pen input into its mobile... its so much faster than iPhone screen keyboard. And plus it would help mobile surfing. Stylus is good for selecting full page websites. You don't need to zoom in just to select a link.
An iTouch and PC tablet user...as well as a winmo user.
THEY feel the heat off the Palm camp!!?
Palm's "WebOS" is a single presentation where a UI and not a whole lot else was demonstrated, no matter how much web sites such as your own fell for the show. And the best word we have on when something solid is coming is measured in months.
I'd say that Palm is going to start feeling the heat coming off the Microsoft camp, the Android camp, heck, even the ALP camp!
Except what we have from Palm's camp are hands-on impressions from tech news sources, which all concur the Pre is a winner.
Face reality.
Very few "hands-on" impressions were hands-on by those being impressed. Are you forgetting that?
And what were those non-hands-on hands-on impressees impressed at?
A User Interface.
Gosh.
For all we know Palm had PalmOS running under that cutesy UI demo.
Their user base is not loyal (like me), and it will only take one well equipped competitor to wipe them if they dont up their game.
I use WinMo out of necessity, not because i want to.
Me too. I have had two win mo fones and only because I had to. But the Pre looks like it will do what I need it to do, so thank god, I am outta here as soon as it's released.
i would like to know why YouTube is a default link on so many phones. It's garbage.
I use the YouTube application that comes built on my Touch. It's not a link to the site - it's a custom application.
I agree with Jeff, YouTube is a useless link on a mobile device. I think it is placed on there due to the "Me Too!" mentality.
Why do they keep using that shot. Its not a screen grab of the 6.5 home screen. Who ever made that shot used mac icons. I don't thing Apple would let that one Slide.
A lot of people are giving Palm grief for taking so damn long to come out with the Pre (and rightly so) but keep in mind, that while Palm did come out with something very innovative, WinMobile is still producing shit like this...
What a thankless job MS programmers have don't they?
Do the Apple (and even Android) zealots even consider how much influence WM (and Palm) have had on the smartphone/PDA market over the last, i dunno, 12+ years since windows CE? All the issues and mistakes made on the OSes has only made it better for all consumers after each new release and new device.
Windows mobile is more of an open platform and Android at the moment - rich with amatuer and professional developers.
Sorry everyone, I don’t know matt. But let’s be truthful here. As an ex-treo user (windows edition, so don’t get it twisted), now converted to crackberry Storm, only do to the fact that (FACT, F A C T,,, Verizon wireless is the BEST cellular company on planet earth) I’m a Verizon diehard. If and when the iphone becomes available for other networks, that will be the final straw for winMobies. I like the Storm, but I like my iTouch better. Not only is the iphone better then any winMoby device, it connects to Microsoft Exchange better then any winMoby can dream of. YES! IT/network guy here, saying that. No lie. I have seen many people prefer iPhone/exchange combo more then any other combo available. Crackberry comes close, but nothing like the iPhone. It puts a frown on my face when I say that. Windows messaging works better on the iPhone. I tried to fight that fact guys. Diehard Windows guy, here. But true. suicycle.com I don’t have an iPhone but I grant you that the iPhone has a # of apps for anything you are trying to do.
I say sorry, because matt hit the nail on the head when he said and I quote “Don't blame me for your low standards”, this is truth. I was a winMoby user for years, and hated every year with those devices. I would have been $400K richer if I would have spent the time invested into winMoby devices, collecting cans from dumpsters.
You ask “serious”, like a heart-a-ttack! WinMobies wish the could have 10% of the apps, 5% the functionality, and 2% power/performance of an iPhone. So yes, 2 years ahead sounds about right, in fact matt thanks for being kind to these guys. Your statement could (should) have been worse, and still be correct.
The Cell Device Grade: IPhones ---------> Crackberries ---> new winMobys coming out in 2012 -> that free phone you get when signup for a new cell account --> the Go phone (pay as you GO!) -----> today’s Windows Mobile devices.
It’s hard to hear, but raise your standards and Microsoft will be force to do the same. Because right now they are losing that battle, and maybe soon the war.
My Peace.
So what does all this mean for WM7?