Microsoft Announces Windows Mobile 6.5

posted Feb 16, 2009, 9:00 AM by Eric M. Zeman

Today Microsoft showed off a new version of its mobile platform, Windows Mobile 6.5. This update to the operating system mostly overhauls usability, making it much more finger friendly for Windows Mobile Professional (touch) phones. The enhancements are centered on making the operating system more intuitive to use. It updates the home screen which is now a cross between 6.1's sliding panels and Zune interface, with interactive widgets. All of the icons are bigger and easier to activate with a finger, which means a stylus is not required. The applications menu has been flattened into one large list, making them easier to find. The new hexagonal Start menu replaces both the Start and Programs with one unified menu for accessing programs. There are also multiple slide-to-unlock buttons for jumping right into missed calls, new voice mails, and new text messages. Windows Mobile 6.5 will include a new version of Internet Explorer mobile, which brings with it many improvements in usability. It ties together elements of IE6, IE7 and IE8, and has a minimap, sliding zoom control, and an Opera-like button bar at bottom. Microsoft said the new operating system will be available on devices by the end of 2009.

from Microsoft

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