Windows Mobile 6.5 'second edition' bringing slightly revamped UI?
By Donald Melanson 
posted November 26th 2009 4:38PM
posted November 26th 2009 4:38PM
We've already gotten a glimpse of an updated on-screen keyboard seemingly set for inclusion in the next update to Windows Mobile 6.5, and it now looks like Microsoft might have even more changes on tap to keep folks satisfied in the buildup to Windows Mobile 7. Apparently, something that may or may not be called Windows Mobile 6.5 'second edition' adds a number of UI updates that are supposedly designed to make it more usable with capacitive touchscreens. The biggest of those changes, it seems, is that the clickable buttons from the top bar have been removed in favor of a larger, more finger-friendly bar at the bottom -- which, judging from appearances, is not quite ready for prime time. Of course, of all this is still just based on what's been turned up in an early build of the OS, but at least one unnamed Microsoft representative has reportedly confirmed that the updated UI does indeed come from Microsoft, but he apparently wouldn't confirm much else.
The 6.5.1/3 builds are an improvement and the interface makes more sense than the old. But Microsoft, for the love of Mike, get rid of that ugly default today screen wallpaper!
@VictorBush They let you customise it so if you don't like it you can change it yourself. At least they have a wallpaper.
Windblows frankinmobile
And what's wrong with those screens exactly? Is there something revolutionary about a homescreen grid of icons or Apple's clock and contacts screens? Or is this just more Engadget snark from a group of AAPL-lovers who likely haven't even used WM 6.5.1 or 6.5.3 yet?
@dwboston
it looks like they tried to bring the OS into modern times but failed...
@soccerpro100cn
Can you PLEASE actually elaborate and explain to us what that even means?
I swear to God people just parrot that like it makes any logical frigging sense!
@soccerpro100cn
I wasn't aware the previous OS was from medieval or pre-historic times.
Can you explain how they "failed?" Or what's so different or modern about Android or iPhone's homescreen, contact screen, or clock settings screen?
@dwboston
There's probably no one reason they're losing so much market share. I think a big part of it is former WM owners getting burned on ROM upgrades. Yeah you can hack them on but people want seamless officially supported upgrades -- or better yet OTA updates. Additionally there are a wide variety of WM devices over the last few years. Not much consistency in terms of UI, design, or functionality/quality. Lots of dogs that were just too slow that make WM look worse than it actually is. Bottom line, the market has spoken. Microsoft is losing a lot of market share. Who knows why exactly -- all we can do is speculate.
@dwboston There's a 6.5.3? Engadget should fire Donald and hire you.
How does Microsoft make something as beautiful as Windows 7, ZuneHD UI, Xbox 360 UI and then give us the mess that is WinMo?
@where u at
It took them 8 years to implement the OS X dock. During that time they had a CEO change, and wasted a ton of time with Longhorn.
Sorry.
The iPhone was first shown in 2007, so they still have until 2015 to copy it. Keep in mind that all 'experts' within MS were pretty sure the iPhone was gonna flop so they didn't start copying it until like 12 months ago. Again, sorry. Please be patient.
@(Unverified) They haven't copied the OSX dock. Apple didn't invent big icons. The Win7 taskbar is more like the Linux bar IMO anyway. If you've actually used both the WIn7 taskbar and the dock you might know that their functionality and customisability are completely different too.
this better ui than WM 6, i think
http://www.worldquests.com/wowguide/
And to think that under such a fabo UI is still the registry... who'd guess?
@Steveorevo
At least we don't have to fix disk permissions like terminals from the 80s
@fourthletter
At least *nix based OSs had security permissions in the 80s.
@Steveorevo Why does it matter now who had security permissions first (except for bragging rights)? You've just implicitly admitted that *n*x's security permissions system is deficient, but that doesn't matter since they were first.
I'm not saying that's true, I'm saying that's what it sounds like.
@MarkKB
No. Not implying it. Let me just make it simple for ya,
*nix has better permissions then Windows. Period.
Would we need to buy a new handhelp PC just to have the interface change when this is released ? WM 6.5 touchscreen device is expensive enough already. Hate to have such a short lived investment.
@nseika I am running a build with this interface on my old AT&T Tilt. It is literally running faster that the original build that came on the phone 2+ years ago. Everything short of Winmo7 should be able to run on virtually any somewhat recent WinMo phone.
Once Winmo7 ships, all bets are off. From the rumors, it won't run on any of the old hardware let alone current (HD2 might meet the specs for 7).
I wish Microsoft would hire some new artists that weren't obsessed with blue gradients. Enough is enough. Most good cell phone and mobile operating systems have adopted darker UI controls and backgrounds so icons and text stand out more. It just looks nicer. The Zune guys get this -- why is it so hard to apply such an obvious UI design lesson to WM?
Good one Engadget, make another post to get people to bad talk winmo.
Here is an experiment Grab a winmo phone and compare it to the screen shots. What, your phone already looks like the? The buttons look prettier? Well of course it does.
Now STFU engadget
Wow, Engadget. This is really behind the times. I've been using this build of winmo for months now... (it's much better than 6.1 and prettier than 6.5v1)
@scribble
2nd that, I have had this on my phone for literally months
@scribble
It is actually an old build.
The newer ones I've seen actually have square buttons.
@scribble but engadget wont be engadget if they didnt bitch about WinMo, no matter what.
@LAY
That is more of a theme I have the same build under 2 devices ( Raphael and Vogue) and the buttons look nothing alike.
I wouldn't be bragging about my "6.5 second" ability if I was Microsoft!
I find it hard to understand why such big boy like MS can't get a good UI designer like one they got in Apple...
I would've opt for MS Winmo if they make good looking stuffs.
@chen wait did you say iPhone? That's a UI? I could have sworn that it was a grid.
iPhone isn't good looking. So you can close/open an app, and it gives a nice 'fade effect'.. cool, but that's not the UI.
I agree that this UI is a heck of a lot better than the standard 6 & 6.1 - I understand the screen size is small, but that doesn't necessarily make it a logical step to just shrink down everything with the goal of replicating a standard dekstop as much as possible. So having larger icons is definitely a nicer step for those with a touchscreen.
second edition, more like fail edition, if a Taiwanese company can get it right with the HD2 (and Android) then why can Microsoft ? I think what Microsoft need to do is shut the Winmo division down fire everyone then buy HTC lol.
@(Unverified)
That's like asking why a recently-built house looks so much more contemporary than a Victorian-era house that's being modernized.
Because HTC started from scratch with their interface and didn't have to worry about breaking the way apps are displayed on-screen. TouchFlo 3D/Sense is just an overlay that goes on top of Windows Mobile. Microsoft's stuck with the task of updating the entire operating system, and trying to make sure that graphical updates don't break the way apps are displayed on screen. Sure, The Windows Mobile team is larger, but they've got far more to do than HTC, who's just slapping on a pretty face on Windows Mobile.
i won't argue that Sense looks better than anything on Windows Mobile so far. i expect Windows Mobile 7 to be different. The Zune team's working on the UI, and with Silverlight powering it, we should see something quite nice.
in the mopocket article, the mysterious microsoft agent said "The leaked new UI is from Microsoft, however the name 6.5.1 is a fabricated one from the forums, most likely."
oh no! more checkboxes with which to feed the antiWM trolls!
I can't believe that Windows Mobile 7 is going to be anything but junk considering this is the type of ideas they generate over there.
This is seriously ugly, they should hire me to do their interface design...
who cares ... microsoft clearly doesn't give a crap about phones or their winmo users. i'm never going back.
MS Please try something else, covering a badly designed OS with some funny skin won't do the job. I see no reason why MS is not hiring designers. I suggest hiring guys from TAT.
Well, if there's one thing I've learned from cars and gadgets is that prototype builds are *always exactly* what gets released to the public and therefore completely worth getting worked up over. I've never seen a UI polished after an early build was leaked, ever.