Windows Mobile 6.0 is the operating system designed to replace the current and ubiquitous Windows Mobile 5. Presented herein are a few screenshots of Windows Mobile 6.0 codenamed Crossbow. The top one is taken from a pocket PC, while the bottom image belongs to the Smartphone version. The next operating system iteration for Windows Mobile is scheduled for general availability in the first or second quarter of 2007. Currently Crossbow is to be released to manufacturing by the end of 2006.
"Pieter Knook, a Microsoft Sr. VP, has commented that Microsoft plan to release an upgrade to their mobile platform yearly which is interesting and could mean a new OS with every yearly upgrade for pay monthly contracts. Knook has also commented that Crossbow will have strong links with Office 2007 and Exchange 12 as well as including the mobile version of Office Communicator, an Instant Messenger tool for enterprises," revealed MSNMobileNews.

The two versions are similar as far as the visual style is concerned. However, Crossbow for Smartphone will feature Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile. In this context, Windows Mobile Smartphones will also support the tacks afferent to these applications. Microsoft is already making plans for a future Windows Mobile operating system to follow Crossbow codenamed Photon and scheduled to RTM in Q4 2007 and for general availability in Q1/Q2 2008.

Judging from these previews of Windows Mobile 6.0 Crossbow it is safe to assume that Microsoft is aiming for a Vista look and feel as the UI design clearly illustrates.