After centuries of waiting (about two months actually), Microsoft has finally unveiled, in the most official way possible, Windows Mobile 6.1, the company's latest mobile operating system. As rumored a week ago, the new OS announcement was made in the first day of CTIA Wireless 2008 (1 - 3 April, Las Vegas).

As also rumored, but more than a week ago, Windows Mobile 6.1 is not a major upgrade of the 6.0 version. However, it still brings some good-to-have new features until Windows Mobile 7, the really new WM, will be available (2009, most probably).

The most important change WM 6.1 brings is the new version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which is set to offer a desktop-like Web browsing experience for Pocket PCs and Smartphones, coming with support for Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight and H.264.

Other new features that Windows Mobile 6.1 includes are: Getting Started Center, which allows users to easily set up functions like email, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; enhanced home screen for quick access to missed calls, new messages, appointments, music or photos; new message managing features; text and picture zooming; support for System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which allows a better administration of your device; Exchange Server 2007 SP1 support, for security management.

Talking about the fresh Windows Mobile 6.1, Robbie Bach, President of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, said: "People want a single phone that's flexible enough to meet their needs throughout their day, whether it's connecting to work or your everyday life. The innovations we've added to our Windows Mobile software ultimately make it easier to manage your world."

Windows Mobile 6.1 will only be available starting the second quarter of 2008, coming as a free upgrade or as a pre-installed OS on new handsets. Among the devices to run WM 6.1 in the future, we have: Samsung BlackJack II, Pantech Duo, HTC Tilt and MOTO Q 9h global from AT&T; HTC Mogul, HTC Touch, Samsung ACE, MOTO Q 9c and a "new Palm Treo" from Sprint; T-Mobile MDA compact IV and T-Mobile MDA Ameo 16 GB from T-Mobile International; HTC Touch and HTC PPC6800 from Alltel; Toshiba Portégé G810 and Portégé G910; Asus ZX1, P320, P560, M536, M930, P527 and P750; i-mate 6150, 8150, 8502 and 9502; and Intermec CN3.

Below you have two YouTube videos from Pocketnow, showing Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (for Smartphones) and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (for Pocket PCs).

Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard:


Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional: