Windows Mobile 6.5 to officially "launch" on May 11

Well hey -- it looks like Windows Mobile 6.5 will arrive a little earlier than expected. A post on the WinMo team blog says that the update to Redmond's smartphone platform will officially launch on May 11, the first day of the Tech Ed conference. We're figuring that could mean we'll see the gold build demoed for the very first time, seeing how the version showed off at the glamorous MWC launch was described as an "alpha" cut. Of course, after that it's all up to the carriers and handset manufacturers as to when we'll actually see the OS loaded onto devices, but we're sure the hacking community will find a way to satiate the impatient until then -- or until Windows Mobile 7 comes out.

[Via Electronista]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2009 5:17PM]

I've purchased about 32 phones in 13 years,.
Never have I said symbianos,wmos,.bb os.,.etc is better.
I've always gone for most innovative ,.it so happens to be since 2007 iPhone has dominated .I've been a bb,nokia ,sonyericson ,motorola ,lg,samsung,sidekick fanboy for 13 years.
I'm a fanboy of innovation,.if zunephone is more innovative ,well u can start calling zunephone fanboy.agree?

[metric Posted Apr 17th 2009 7:31PM]

You're not even worth the time it would take to teabag you.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2009 7:07AM]

Wow, that is cool. I can hardly wait. Looks like this might be a good version!

RT
www.privacy.pro.tc

[abu Posted Apr 18th 2009 1:12PM]

They've gone to plaid!?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 5:33PM]

Will I be able to upgrade my omnia with this?

[(Unverified) Posted May 5th 2009 7:39AM]

Yes the excitement is building.... Can't wait for Windows Mobile 6.5 and beyond. I really think with all of the innovation and consumer demand in this space that Microsoft will step up and listen to consumers. I think version 7 will be a huge leap from all versions 6. I've heard good things about the next release of internet explorer mobile, live mesh for mobile, silverlight 2 for mobile, and windows media player mobile. I have a strong database development background and love data-driven apps so I am very excited about the new versions of the * .NET compact framework and SQL server compact. If you have ever tried to develop database apps on other platforms you will quickly appreciate the depth of SQL server compact. I am hopeful the Windows Mobile Marketplace is rolled out in a way that is supportive to developers as I think developers are at the core for future success. I also think if Microsoft deployed their own device that would likely really be a hit as well.

[(Unverified) Posted May 12th 2009 8:48AM]

The Windows Mobile contact list will get a huge visual boost and be more touch-friendly as well, with larger menu items and an updated look. Windows Mobile 6.5 will have a lot of new apps, features and technologies will be included and introduced. Just to name a few: internet explorer mobile, live mesh for mobile, silverlight 2 for mobile, windows media player mobile, windows mobile marketplace,.NET compact framework, .NET mobile, compact framework, and SQL server compact. Microsoft has officially confirmed a new web browser for Windows Mobile, Internet Explorer 6. The hottest new features and apps include: My Phone--a backup and recovery service for contacts, photos and other data stored on a mobile device. My Phone will also be available for phones running Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1. The new Windows Marketplace for Mobile is a centralized place to buy increasingly popular mobile applications. Windows Mobile 6.5 features a new user interface and "honeycomb". A customizable start screen with hexagonal tiles for each program that are designed to be easier to use on touch-screen phones. The Windows Mobile start menu can be customized with Internet applications like weather or stock reports, that are automatically updated. The new Windows Mobile 6.5 user interface is designed to be more "finger friendly," You can also move icons up or down in the new layout. In addition, the new Windows Mobile Home screen will support special widgets, which will give status information like missed calls, new messages, etc. Another new feature of Windows Mobile 6.5 allows people to go directly to waiting voice mail, text messages or other information when unlocking their phones. Microsoft Recite, came out of the company's research group. It allows people to record voice notes or other audio files on Windows Mobile phones and then search for keywords using their voice. LG is set to launch 50 new Windows Mobile devices over the next 4 years. And to boot you will get widgets in windows mobile 6.5. The widgets will appear to function just as full applications do, and will have their own icons in Windows Mobile menus and access to web content. The widgets will be powered, in part, by the new Mobile Internet Explorer 6, which will give them access to Flash and ActiveX controls. The widgets will also have control of the SK menu bar. According to Microsoft, the widgets can be written with standard web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, AJAX, and JavaScript.

[cjones2010 Posted May 12th 2009 12:51PM]

WM 6.5 was suppose to be released yesterday? Did that happen? And if so, can it be downloaded? I've got a Samsung Omnia that I'd love to try out with WM 6.5 (we'll see if it will replace the spb shell I'm currently using). Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.