14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer, along with mobile partners HTC, LG and Orange, unveiled today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona the newest version of Microsoft's operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5. Handsets that will be based on the new platform will be able to deliver new user-friendly software and services.
The new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system comes along with a new user interface, while delivering a richer browsing experience, new ways to personalize the handset, including new themes, applications and ringtones, while also allowing them to use personal photos for the home screen background.
“We’re working with partners across the industry to deliver a new generation of Windows phones that break down the barriers between people, information and applications and provide great end-to-end experiences that span your entire life, at work and at home,” stated Steve Ballmer at the MWC conference.
Windows Mobile 6.5-powered handsets will be able to offer users two new services, namely the already announced My Phone, offering ways of syncing text messages, photos, video, contacts and other files directly to the web, as well as the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, a new portal that would provide direct-to-phone mobile applications, which can be accessed both from the handset and via Web.
The platform is also able to deliver a new and enhanced user experience. A new Windows Mobile 6.5 home screen offers consumers the possibility to stay up-to-date on important information, including e-mails, texts, missed calls and calendar appointments. At the same time, it also includes an improved touch-screen interface, as well as a new version of the Internet Explorer Mobile browser.
The new operating system has been showcased on devices from leading mobile partners around the world. Among carriers, Orange will add to its offering new handsets powered by the platform, which can deliver a new user experience to its subscribers.
One of the new devices sporting the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform demonstrated at the show is the LG-GM7300, a nice looking, user-friendly phone that comes with a one-click e-mail set up for enhanced connectivity. The mobile phone maker announced that a new device running under the WM 6.5 OS would be added to its lineup, increasing this way the number of LG devices powered by the platform.
HTC is another phone maker that showcased devices running the new Windows Mobile 6.5 platform, namely the Touch Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2. The devices will allow for the OS to be upgraded to the new version for enhanced capabilities. Touch Diamond 2 comes with TouchFLO 3D UI, a sleek design and a 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen display. The HTC Touch Pro 2 is able to deliver a leveraged mobile productivity experience with HTC’s new Straight Talk technology, integrated e-mail and speakerphone.
