by Frank McPherson, author of How To Do Everything With Windows Mobile

 
One of the worst kept secrets has been the pending release of Version 6.1 of Windows Mobile. Today Microsoft officially announced it at CTIA, and according to reports new devices sporting this version may be available within a couple of months. The timing of the announcement with device availability is an improvement over the past where such an announcement came as much as six months in advance of one's ability to actually get your hands on the software.

PocketNow has a very comprehensive overview of the changes, which while not earth shattering are what I think are very useful and good improvements. No word on how much it will cost people who own devices targeted for upgrades, such as the AT&T Tilt, but if the upgrade is cheap or free it looks like it will be worth the upgrade.

To me the upgrade boils down to two major improvements: changes to the Today screen to make information navigation faster, and a new version of Internet Explorer to improve navigation on web pages. The Today screen changes are similar to the Neo changes that I have been experiencing with my T-Mobile Shadow. From what I read the improvements may be better than what HTC came up with. I am curious to know whether HTC will improve upon Neo or abandon it for what Microsoft provides.

Internet Explorer now has zoom out and zoom in capability so that you can see an entire page, albeit as a thumbnail, on one page. Obviously this change was inspired by the iPhone and it remains to be seen whether it as nice browsing with IE as it is using Safari on the iPhone.

Several smaller, but welcome changes are also included in 6.1. For example, you can now cut, copy, and paste in Windows Mobile Standard. (Finally!!) Heavy text messaging users will like the threaded SMS client.

Now the wait begins for when upgrades will be available as well as new devices. Matt Miller reports on the HTC Dual to be released in the U.S. that will sport 6.1 and will be sold SIM-unlocked via BestBuy. Very interesting, I am wondering how much it will cost? I am looking forward to getting the upgrade for my Tytnn II when it becomes available.

Labels: 2008, Windows Mobile 6.1

posted by Frank at 8:47 PM

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