Windows Mobile 6 unveiled

Windows Mobile 6

(Credit: Microsoft)

Soooo, as things go in the tech world, this news wasn't supposed to hit the wires 'til Sunday afternoon at the 3GSM World Congress. But stories get leaked, people get all up in other people's business, and frankly, nobody can keep a secret these days. And Microsoft is certainly learning that today--but truth be told, this wasn't a well-kept secret from the get-go. The big announcement here is the (un)official unveiling of Windows Mobile 6. Codenamed Crossbow, it's the new mobile operating system from Microsoft that succeeds Windows Mobile 5. There will be three editions again, but they've been renamed as Classic (formerly known as Pocket PC Edition), Standard (Smartphone Edition), and Professional (Pocket PC Phone Edition). Aside from nomenclature, what else is new? Well, we'll have a more in-depth look of WM6 for you soon, but in the meantime, check out our slide show and here's a quick list of highlights:

The new Calendar Ribbon

(Credit: Microsoft)

• Ability to view e-mail in original HTML format
• Enhanced Mobile Office Suite allows for viewing and editing documents
• Windows Vista synchronization
• Windows Live for Mobile: services include mail, messenger, search, and contacts
• Calendar Ribbon for easily viewing your day or week's schedule
• Nine new one-click e-mail shortcuts, including Reply-all, Moving messages to subfolder, and Delete
• Call history associated with Contacts
• "One-click easy" Internet Sharing option for using a smart phone as a laptop modem
• Information Rights Management
• Easier VoIP integration (more for the device manufacturers and carriers)

New shortcuts

(Credit: Microsoft)

The best news, of course? The new OS means there will be a number of new devices coming out, so prepare yourself. We may see some announced at 3GSM early next week, so stay tuned.

[ari6126]

I wish I could put this on my Voq.

[EM_Burn]

Features Still Needed

Now if a Windows Mobile solution would just provide ability to sync public folder items and allow filters for Inbox instead of ALL messages, then it would win me over 100% from Blackberry.

[oludir]

Only one question remains

Are windows mobile 5 users going to be able to buy the os and upgrade their devices?

[techmonkey]

Not all WM5.0 will be upgradable

Whether you will be able to upgrade your Mobile 5.0 to 6.0 will depend on the device and/or whether your device manufacturer will support an upgrade.

Your device will have to meet the minimum system requirements of 6.0 in order for it to qualify for an upgrade, which usually means having the memory requirements.

I havent seen any minimum specs for the 6.0 yet, may have to wait till next week.

But if you have the most recent device from the manufacturer who made it, chances are good (not great) that you will be able to upgrade.

[taleebsabri]