News Blog

Windows Mobile 6.1

(Credit: Microsoft)

Of the four major mobile operating systems (Palm, Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry), we hear plenty of complaints from users that Windows Mobile devices are the hardest to use because of the laborious navigation. And we certainly agree. Seriously, do you really need to go through several steps just to open or close an application? To be fair, Microsoft has heard the cries and made some headway in making its smartphones easier to use with Windows Mobile 6. But there's plenty of room for improvement, and the company is hoping its latest build will solve some of the problems.

At CTIA 2008 on Tuesday, Microsoft announced the latest version of its mobile operating system, Windows Mobile 6.1. The update includes several new features designed to make the devices easier to manage and help users save time. Here's a rundown of what you can expect:

New home screen
To start, there's a new home screen that provides a more attractive interface but more importantly, quicker access to key information and applications. There are now a series of panels, which you can scroll through up and down, left or right, to view your missed calls, e-mails, and voicemails; check upcoming appointments; peruse your multimedia library; and access certain settings, such as the Task Manager. There's also a Getting Started wizard that will walk you through your e-mail setup, changing the background image, and setting up Bluetooth connections. For Bluetooth headsets, it will even bypass the whole passcode process (the system automatically enters the manufacturer's default passcodes--usually 0000 or 1234) and automatically connect to the headset. Once you've set everything up, you have the option of removing the Getting Started panel from your home screen. And though minor, the clock size has been increased--a feature Microsoft says its customers have been asking for.

Internet Explorer Mobile
Navigating Web sites is made easier thanks to a feature that allows you to pan in and out. Instead of mercilessly scrolling through an entire page just to get to one part of the site, you can pan out, find the spot you want, and then pan in. Microsoft also announced that it will bring Internet Explorer 6, which means Adobe Flash support, to its smartphones around the holiday season.

Messaging and more
As for messaging, Windows Mobile 6.1 offers just a couple--but key--improvements. First, there's support for threaded text messaging. And you can now select multiple e-mails at once. Other enhancements include richer Windows Live capabilities (check out CNET News.com's Elinor Mills's story for more) and System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and Exchange Server 2007 SP1 support for better device management and security.

So you're probably wondering, when can you get it? Windows Mobile 6.1 will be available sometime in Q2, and a number of manufacturers (HTC, Samsung Electronics, Motorola, Pantech) and carriers (AT&T, Sprint, Alltel) have already announced that they will offer the upgrade. A sample of supported smartphones include the Samsung BlackJack II, AT&T Tilt, Sprint Motorola Q9c, Sprint Mogul, and Alltel Touch. For the full rundown of devices and features, check out the Microsoft Windows Mobile Web site.

Palm Treo 750

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Today, Palm officially released its Windows Mobile 6 update for the Palm Treo 750, bringing such enhancements as HSDPA capabilities (w00t!), Microsoft Direct Push Technology for real-time synchronization with Outlook, and better Calendar management. It's available now as a free download from Palm's Web site, and once installed, you also get support for HTML e-mail and more security options (encryption of miniSD cards, remote data wipe)--all the benefits of Windows Mobile 6, which you can read about in our full review.

In addition to the update, Palm also announced it has begun selling unlocked versions of the Treo 750 (previously, only available through AT&T) through its retail and online stores for $549. The smartphone will ship with Windows Mobile 6 out of the box.

Yes, you read that right. After what seemed like ages (heck, this video shown here was taken way back at CES 2007), Verizon Wireless today officially announced the availability of the Samsung SCH-i760 smartphone.

Samsung SCH-i760

(Credit: Verizon Wireless)

A bigger, badder version of the Samsung BlackJack, this Windows Mobile 6 (Professional Edition) device adds a slide-out QWERTY keyboard with an external dial pad, a touch screen, and integrated Wi-Fi. If that weren't enough, it also serves up EV-DO, Verizon's V Cast services, Bluetooth with A2DP support, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

Of course, all this goodness comes with a cost. The i760, available online October 19 and in stores November 2, is priced at $349.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates.

I just got this monster of a smartphone (seriously, it kind of scares me) into my hands a couple of hours ago, and I know a lot of you have been waiting for it, so I'm going to work feverishly to get a full review out to you soon. Stay tuned, friends.

Update: In addition to the i760, Verizon also revealed plans to offer several other smartphones, including the Verizon Wireless XV6800, Palm Treo 755p, and Verizon Wireless SMT5800. We don't know availability dates or pricing on these devices yet, but will report back soon and give you some more details on the new models.

HP iPaq 910 Business Manager

(Credit: HP)

In addition to several other mobile product announcements today, HP showed off two new smart phones, and they're not for the faint of heart.

First, there's the HP iPaq 610 Business Navigator, a quad-band mobile with support for HSDPA and assisted GPS with integrated Google Maps. The Windows Mobile 6 (Professional Edition) device is also equipped with Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g with WPA2 security), 256MB Flash ROM/128MB SDRAM, and a 3-megapixel camera. Like the previous HP iPaq 510 Voice Messenger, the iPaq 610 has more of a voice-centric focus and includes the same advanced voice command system found in the 510, but it does tout a bigger 2.8-inch screen (versus 2 inches diagonally), and it's a touch screen to boot. Another design enhancement is the new Smart Touch wheel found in middle of the alphanumeric keypad that lets you scroll through the various menus items. The iPaq 600 series is slated to ship in late September for about $600 for an unlocked version.

HP iPaq 610 Business Navigator

(Credit: HP)

Now, for the messaging fanatics, there's the HP iPaq 910 Business Manager. As the successor to the HP iPaq hw6900 series, the iPaq 910 has a full QWERTY keyboard, push e-mail capabilities, and a 2.46-inch touch screen. Many of the smart phone's other features are the same as the iPaq 610's, including HSDPA support, assisted GPS, Bluetooth 2.0., Wi-Fi, and a 3-megapixel camera. While expected availability is late November or early December, HP did not release pricing information. There were no carrier announcements at this time, either.

HP iPaq 110 Classic Handheld

(Credit: HP)

Ha! And people thought the PDA was dead. Today, HP introduced two new models to its iPaq line of handhelds: the HP iPaq 110 Classic Handheld and HP iPaq 210 Enterprise Handheld. Now, in this day and age of smart phones, will this type of classic PDA fly? I say yes. There are still plenty of people who want one device for organizing their contacts and appointments while keeping their cell phone separate. And heck, since Dell exited the handheld market in April and there hasn't been a new PDA from Palm in years, HP fills that void. Both devices are expected to start shipping in late October, while pricing has not been finalized at this time.

So if the name didn't give it away, the iPaq 110 is more for the everyday user--the student, the do-it-all supermom, the mobile professional. There's no revolutionary technology in here, but that's not to say, it's a snoozer. The PDA runs the latest Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition and comes with integrated Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi. It's nice and trim at 4.5 inches tall by 7.1 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep and 3.6 ounces and features a 3.5-inch, 240x320 pixel touch screen. Underneath, the iPaq 110 is powered by a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 processor and 256MB Flash ROM and 64MB SDRAM.

HP iPaq 210 Enterprise Handheld

(Credit: HP)

Meanwhile, the HP iPaq 210 will appeal to only a certain portion of the audience, namely vertical markets such as the medical profession. This business-centric handheld comes with advanced tools, such as HP's Enterprise Mobility Agent, a certificate enroller, and VoIP support. It's also equipped with a 24-pin connector and a mini USB port for terminal attachments such as bar code readers. Other highlights of this Windows Mobile 6 PDA include Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi (802.11b/g with WPA2 security), a 4-inch, 262,000-color, VGA touch screen, 256MB of Flash ROM, 64MB of SDRAM, a voice recorder, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Sprint Mogul by HTC

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Man, if I were a Sprint or Verizon Wireless customer, I wouldn't be the happiest camper in the world. After all, the CDMA faithful have had to sit back and watch for the past few months, while their GSM counterparts at T-Mobile and AT&T got one new smart phone after another. Yet, things are starting to look up--for Sprint subscribers, anyway. Today, the carrier announced the Sprint Mogul by HTC, the long-awaited successor to the Sprint PPC-6700. It sports a thinner design, Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition, a better camera, and more memory. Yet, we have some issues with it. Read our full review here to find out what they are and decide for yourself whether you should start saving your pennies (all $399.99 worth) for this puppy. The Sprint Mogul will be available online and through business sales channels starting June 18 and in retail stores nationwide by mid-July.

Click on the image to start the T-Mobile Wing slide show

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Finally! Ever since the release of Windows Mobile 6 back in February, we've anxiously awaited the arrival of supported devices, and we're not talking about software upgrades or smart phones of the announced-but-not-yet-shipping variety (a la Motorola Q 9). No, if you're anything like us, you want to get your hands on one now and you finally can.

T-Mobile and HTC today announced the immediate availability of the T-Mobile Wing (aka HTC Herald)--through select T-Mobile retail stores and online, for $299.99 with a two-year contract. As the successor to the T-Mobile MDA, the Wing runs the latest Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition, sports a revamped design, and features an upgraded 2-megapixel camera. So why are we slightly disappointed? Read our full review to find out.

Motorola Q 9

(Credit: Motorola)

Today, Motorola showed off a portfolio of new and some not-so-new cell phones and smart phones at a press event in New York. Along with the unveiling of the Razr 2, the company announced that the Motorola Q 9 (nee Motorola Q q9) would be available starting this week...in Italy. What the?! Motorola said it expected the Q 9 to ship in other parts of the world this summer, and let's hope this includes the United States. The Moto Q 9 will run Windows Mobile 6 and support HSDPA/UMTS networks for data speeds of up to 3.6Mbps. In fact, Motorola reps went so far as to say that the Q 9 was the fastest smart phone in the world to date and made it a point to call out the Apple iPhone. Ooo, them be fighting words.

Motorola Q 8

(Credit: Motorola)

Other highlights of the smart phone include:

• Support for up to eight corporate and/or personal e-mail accounts, including AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, and Hotmail
• Integrated Bluetooth with support for the A2DP profile for stereo Bluetooth headsets
• A 2-megapixel camera with 8X zoom and video-recording capabilities at 15 frames per second
• Texas Instrument OMAP 2420 processor and 96MB of RAM; 256MB flash memory and a microSD expansion slot (accepts up to 2GB cards)
• Revamped design (a bulkier one at that, we have to say) with new QWERTY keyboard and seven dedicated one-touch keys to access the Web, e-mail, camera, and so forth.

Motorola also made mention of the GSM Motorola Q, which has been renamed the Motorola Q 8, but did not say whether it would launch this product in the United States. As you may recall, the company said back at CTIA 2007 that it had no plans to bring the Q 8 stateside because there was no interest. For more on today's announcements, check out fellow Craver Kent German's post.

T-Mobile Dash

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Well, it's about gosh-darn time. T-Mobile Dash owners can finally get their hands on some Windows Mobile 6 goodness now that T-Mobile has officially announced the availability of the software upgrade. Starting tomorrow, Dash owners can go to T-Mobile.com and download the WM6 Standard Edition update for free. Among other things, the new OS brings:

• Easier e-mail setup and an e-mail search function
• Support for popular IM clients including AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, and Windows Live Messenger
• Full Microsoft Office Mobile suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) with editing capabilities
• New Calendar ribbon

Woo hoo! Upgrade successful

(Credit: CNET Networks)

We got an advanced release of the software update and had no problems downloading or installing it to our Dash (look for our slide show tomorrow). Overall, the process took about 15 minutes, and we were able to synchronize our data, work on Office documents, set up our Yahoo e-mail account on the device, IM, and more. We think it's worth the upgrade, and why not? It's free. Just remember to back up your data from the Dash to your computer before you get started.