Microsoft presents Windows Mobile 6.5

Microsoft presented Windows Mobile 6.5 worldwide on Tuesday. The mainly graphical update of the mobile OS serves as an ‘intermediate break’ until the new operating system Windows Mobile 7 will be released next year.

The improvements in version 6.5 over 6.1 are largely graphical in nature. For example, the home screen has been overhauled: instead of the static plugins, the new home screen is based on plugins that can be selected by scrolling. Once selected, you can scroll horizontally.

The start menu has also been given a makeover. It has become a ‘flat menu’, with all options and programs in a list. The icons are grouped in a honeycomb structure for better finger selection. In addition, many applications have added kinetic scrolling – scrolling by means of swiping movements – and Internet Explorer Mobile has received a graphical update.

In addition, various new services have been added to the OS. This includes, for example, Marketplace, a download store for applications. Microsoft has also launched MyPhone and this is a backup service for important data on the device. Both services will also be available for Windows Mobile 6.1.

The question is still which devices will receive an update to 6.5 by the manufacturer or provider. These are in any case the Diamond2 and Pro2 from HTC, the Omnia2 and Omnia Qwerty from Samsung and Toshiba’s TG01. Other devices will probably not receive an update, although unofficial ROMs can be found on the internet with an update to the new operating system.

Microsoft will not stop with Windows Mobile 6 after this. At the same time as the development of Windows Mobile 7, an update is reportedly being developed, in which the interface will be overhauled again. For example, the start button and the closing cross will get a place at the bottom of the screen. Windows Mobile 6.5 would eventually become a budget OS, while version 7 would be aimed at the high-end market.