Following the logical desire of Microsoft to offer the latest software for the devices powered by its mobile OS, Windows Mobile 6.1 is now available for AT&T's Pantech Duo too. Owners of the Duo smartphone can make the upgrade (from WM 6.0 to WM 6.1) via a downloadable file that must be taken from Pantech USA's official website. 

The ROM update brings not only the new Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, but also several enhancements. Unfortunately, these are not specified, and since we don't possess a Pantech Duo, we can't verify them.

Users who want to update their Duo are strongly advised to back up all their data before installing the new ROM. The contacts stored in the phone, for example, can be saved and then restored using AT&T's Mobile Backup website, found at this address.

Although AT&T should soon come up with a replacement smartphone for the Duo (apparently called Pantech Matrix), the Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the old smartphone is still good news. There must be lots of users across the US who don't want to give up on their Duo yet, so all of them will probably hurry up to upgrade the OS of the smartphone.

Featuring a dual-sliding form factor, Pantech Duo is a unique mobile device for the North American market. Its specs are not that great, but the fact that it packs an alphanumeric keypad as well as a full QWERTY one is definitely an advantage. The smartphone also offers: a 2.2 inch TFT display with 240 x 320 pixels, GSM and HSDPA connectivity, a 1.3 Megapixel camera, Windows Media Player, Bluetooth, document reader, support for up to 2GB of external memory and so on.

AT&T is currently selling the Pantech Duo (in two color versions, a grey/black one and a red one) for 79.99 USD, together with a contract agreement for two years.