Windows Mobile 6.5 launching on May 11

(4 replies) #1 Chris-Gonzales on 18 Apr 2009 - 06:25

Glad they toned down the honey comb I thought microsoft spen't to much time with the bee keeper

#1.1 BigCheese on 18 Apr 2009 - 11:21

Actually they got rid of the honeycomb. I think those screenshots are old.

#1.2 wilbert on 18 Apr 2009 - 13:24

BigCheese said,

Actually they got rid of the honeycomb. I think those screenshots are old.

That is what I heard as well, honeycomb is gone

#1.3 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 14:36

Are there any newer ones then? These look like the ones MS showed off at their last show. MIX iirc.

#1.4 JonathanMarston on 18 Apr 2009 - 16:16

The comb separators are gone, icons are bigger:

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009...oneycomb-ui.ars

#2 sibot on 18 Apr 2009 - 06:42

I'm really looking forward to this, the UI looks amazing. Wish I had a WinMo phone too

The palmtop just doesn't cut it.

(3 replies) #3 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 07:29

It's a shame it takes so long for new devices to come out, Sept 2009? I mean come on, why so long? It should at least be like Aug at the most imo. This is what holds WinMo back big in my opinion.

#3.1 Beastage on 18 Apr 2009 - 10:29

Plenty of devices are out there, I am certain HTC for example will continue the tradition of offering latest WinMo to their devices free of charge.

#3.2 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 12:21

Yeah, that's the good thing, lots of device choices. But still, it takes device makers too long to over models with the new WinMo imo.

#3.3 /- Razorfold on 18 Apr 2009 - 15:56

GP007 said,

Yeah, that's the good thing, lots of device choices. But still, it takes device makers too long to over models with the new WinMo imo.

Well that's why you have XDA-Dev =)

(3 replies) #4 Raa on 18 Apr 2009 - 08:06

Think that any existing phones will get this upgrade? :/

#4.1 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 08:35

Any of the 6.1 phones should be able to run 6.5 just fine. If you can't get an upgrade from your service you'll have to do it yourself.

#4.2 Raa on 18 Apr 2009 - 11:15

Yea, I sorta meant "from the dealer".
But yeah, can DIY instead!

#4.3 BigCheese on 18 Apr 2009 - 11:24

I think very few manufacturers will release updates for existing phones.
However, there a few windows mobile forums which have lots of people who develop new ROMs for older phones. At the moment I'm running Windows Mobile 6.5 beta on a phone which is more than 4 years old.

#5 +tunafish on 18 Apr 2009 - 08:14

If not im sure ya can find a cooked rom

#6 Faisal Islam on 18 Apr 2009 - 08:59

Reallyyy lookin' very nice.....

Ready to upgrade

(1 reply) #7 1uk3 on 18 Apr 2009 - 08:59

I'll probably upgrade but can't say I'm very excited.

I have an HTC Touch Dual at the moment running 6.5 pro but use SPB Mobile Shell, lots of plugins and programs so don't think the 6.5 will bring me anything new that I'd want to use.

#7.1 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 12:22

At the least maybe performance and stability?

(5 replies) #8 +Xerxes on 18 Apr 2009 - 09:48

To be honest it looks hideous and old to me :/ The iPhone/Touch interface is just an awesome acheivement and WinMo is struggling to keep up (in terms of the UI only). Don't get me wrong, 6.5 looks better then it's predecessors but my eyes are firmly on 7.0 and what MS will do with that. That is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

#8.1 +majortom1981 on 18 Apr 2009 - 11:43

Xerxes said,

To be honest it looks hideous and old to me :/ The iPhone/Touch interface is just an awesome acheivement and WinMo is struggling to keep up (in terms of the UI only). Don't get me wrong, 6.5 looks better then it's predecessors but my eyes are firmly on 7.0 and what MS will do with that. That is my 2 cents, take with a grain of salt.

How is a couple of screens with just program icons on it an awesome achievement? I think htc touchflo is much better.

#8.2 Airlink on 18 Apr 2009 - 14:28

Much as I hate to agree with a Macfan at any time, I'm afraid I have to partialy agree with Xerxes here. (Yes, I'm as shocked as you are. Never frear, I will not be buying a Mac anytime soon.)
But really, WinMo 6.5 is nothing to jump up and down about, is it? While it is an improvement over 6.0, but it's just not much of an improvement; Not as far as I can see, anyways. Maybey my opinion will change once I get to actualy hold a WinMO 6.5 phone in my hands and play around with it, but for now I'm not jumping on the WinMO 6.5 bandwagawgonm and waiting to see what the WinMO 7 bandwagon has to offer. Peace out.

#8.3 JonathanMarston on 18 Apr 2009 - 16:21

Keeping in mind that those are old screenshots, and they've further refined the UI since then, I'd have to agree, too, that Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't that much of an improvement. It's really just a filler to try and keep too many people from leaving the Windows Mobile platform for Apple while MS is works on Windows Mobile 7.

#8.4 k7of9 on 18 Apr 2009 - 17:02

Actually, UI wise I think it's a step back from 6.1.
Last time I tested a 6.5 rom (quite recent) it still looked terrible. Don't like the new startmenu at all, didn't feel comfortable with it. The only thing I like is the new today screen, but the latest Topaz TouchFlo from HTC is lightyears ahead of the standard WinMo interface.
Sad but true, hopefully WinMo 7 won't take too long.

#8.5 +Xerxes on 19 Apr 2009 - 03:25

Airlink said,

Much as I hate to agree with a Macfan at any time, I'm afraid I have to partialy agree with Xerxes here. (Yes, I'm as shocked as you are. Never frear, I will not be buying a Mac anytime soon.)
But really, WinMo 6.5 is nothing to jump up and down about, is it? While it is an improvement over 6.0, but it's just not much of an improvement; Not as far as I can see, anyways. Maybey my opinion will change once I get to actualy hold a WinMO 6.5 phone in my hands and play around with it, but for now I'm not jumping on the WinMO 6.5 bandwagawgonm and waiting to see what the WinMO 7 bandwagon has to offer. Peace out.

Actually I'm not a "Macfan" at all, I don't even own a Mac (happy PC user). The only Apple product I own is the Touch.

@ majortom1981, the iPhone/Touch UI is more then just a couple of screens with icons on them, it's the whole experience of the OS as it was designed from the ground up to be used via touch and it works so well. Unlike another OS that had touch [with your fingers] addon on later (hense why I'm more interested in WinMo 7). Yes the HTC phones have that TouchFlo thing, but that is the point! HTC had to build a new UI for WinMo to make it more usable.

(2 replies) #9 mocax on 18 Apr 2009 - 10:48

got a winmo 6.1 (Moto A3100) back in March.... i guess i'll pass 6.5 and shoot for 7 next year....

#9.1 carmatic on 19 Apr 2009 - 11:02

mocax said,

got a winmo 6.1 (Moto A3100) back in March.... i guess i'll pass 6.5 and shoot for 7 next year....

unless you replace the OS with 6.5?

#9.2 mocax on 20 Apr 2009 - 01:30

i've got a bad feeling that Moto is gonna abandon this phone...
no updates from them.

don't really want to risk bricking the phone...

#10 joemailey on 18 Apr 2009 - 16:58

I don't see it as anything special.
Not considering some of the interfaces of the Tocco and stuff have out. Very interested in seeing what winmo 7 will have instore. Hopefully it will be a complete face life.

(1 reply) #11 E.Fahd on 18 Apr 2009 - 17:34

Customization seems to be the word for this release

#11.1 GP007 on 18 Apr 2009 - 20:18

That's cool, we should be getting so very interesting themes in the future.

#12 Windows7even on 18 Apr 2009 - 17:37

still haven't seen a screen shot of windows mobile standard 6.5 "the smartphone version"

#13 daniel_rh on 18 Apr 2009 - 21:01

Somebody knows what's the last build?

#14 darklordofthesith on 18 Apr 2009 - 23:52

will it work on the blackjack 2 as a standard install? im hoping samsung will post an update for it.

#15 theslam08 on 18 Apr 2009 - 23:55

Yeah, they might be doing a similar development model as their OS team is doing. Win7 is a minor upgrade from Vista, and it would seem 6.5 isn't as major as some would like it to be. I have a feeling the next OS (Win

and WM7 both will probably have some major changes.

Think about the technological advances we had in the past few years, and how much more advanced it will get in the very next upcoming years....that allows them to make much better software too. I just say I cant wait for anything new, no big company is going to waste time and resources on something they wouldnt feel to do good...common sense.

(2 replies) #16 JSYOUNG571 on 19 Apr 2009 - 15:30

I am wondering since AT&T has kicked the Tilt phone to the curb and replaced it with The Fuze, will I be able to upgrade from 6.1 to the 6.5? I love my Tilt phone but can't stand the Fuze. It looks like a knocked of small generic version of the Tilt.

#16.1 Raa on 20 Apr 2009 - 00:00

If you mean the TYTNII, I hope so! They're great phones!

#16.2 redragn72 on 20 Apr 2009 - 20:15

Raa said,

If you mean the TYTNII, I hope so! They're great phones!

all I can say is XDA developers.... look for the kaiser

#17 dangel on 20 Apr 2009 - 12:36

I'm running 6.5 - it feels a bit quicker that 6.1 but it's not a great leap. Menus are more finger friendly and the new start menu is too but other than that (and a bit of more modern skinning for controls) it's a bit 'meh'.
Fortunately it's a open platform for devs and lots of good stuff exists (spb / pointui) to make things slicker.

#18 Tim-WinMbl on 07 May 2009 - 15:00

I am really looking forward to 6.5 and all it has to offer. Clearly there will be a lot of exciting new updates to windows mobile 6.5. The new apps like internet explorer mobile, live mesh for mobile. silverlight 2 for mobile, a new windows media player mobile and a new .NET compact framework should be a lot of fun and very welcomed.
I believe the user interface and applications are the keys to long-term success for any of these mobile devices and developers are at the core in my opinion. We have seen a shift in consumer expectations over the last year and that will only continue to change as the bar keeps getting raised. Should be interesting as the sales numbers are tabulated and posted quarterly in this space.

#19 Tim-WinMbl on 12 May 2009 - 13:12

Windows Mobile 6.5... simply incredible! The Windows Mobile contact list will get a huge visual boost and be more touch-friendly as well, with larger menu items and an updated look. Windows Mobile 6.5 will have a lot of new apps, features and technologies will be included and introduced. Just to name a few: internet explorer mobile, live mesh for mobile, silverlight 2 for mobile, windows media player mobile, windows mobile marketplace,.NET compact framework, .NET mobile, compact framework, and SQL server compact. Microsoft has officially confirmed a new web browser for Windows Mobile, Internet Explorer 6. The hottest new features and apps include: My Phone--a backup and recovery service for contacts, photos and other data stored on a mobile device. My Phone will also be available for phones running Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1. The new Windows Marketplace for Mobile is a centralized place to buy increasingly popular mobile applications. Windows Mobile 6.5 features a new user interface and "honeycomb". A customizable start screen with hexagonal tiles for each program that are designed to be easier to use on touch-screen phones. The Windows Mobile start menu can be customized with Internet applications like weather or stock reports, that are automatically updated. The new Windows Mobile 6.5 user interface is designed to be more "finger friendly," You can also move icons up or down in the new layout. In addition, the new Windows Mobile Home screen will support special widgets, which will give status information like missed calls, new messages, etc. Another new feature of Windows Mobile 6.5 allows people to go directly to waiting voice mail, text messages or other information when unlocking their phones. Microsoft Recite, came out of the company's research group. It allows people to record voice notes or other audio files on Windows Mobile phones and then search for keywords using their voice. LG is set to launch 50 new Windows Mobile devices over the next 4 years. And to boot you will get widgets in windows mobile 6.5. The widgets will appear to function just as full applications do, and will have their own icons in Windows Mobile menus and access to web content. The widgets will be powered, in part, by the new Mobile Internet Explorer 6, which will give them access to Flash and ActiveX controls. The widgets will also have control of the SK menu bar. According to Microsoft, the widgets can be written with standard web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, AJAX, and JavaScript.

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