Since the launch of the iPhone, the standards of user interface on mobile devices have greatly improved and windows mobile was widely criticized for poor user-interface. Even though, HTC changed the way people look at Windows Mobile with their launch of TouchFLO 3D, the much bigger await was for a Windows Mobile upgrade.

Microsoft has promised a completely re-designed and elegant UI in Windows Mobile 7, however it’s launch maybe pushed further until 2010. Meanwhile, Windows Mobile 6.5 has been officially announced at the mobile world congress yesterday and it fails to impress with just a few minor improvements over Windows Mobile 6.1. At least it lets us know that Microsoft is finally working on improving the UI side of Windows Mobile.

The new Today Plug-In
The most important part of Windows Mobile is the Today screen and instead presenting us an entire re-vamp, Windows Mobile 6.5 will only have a new plug-in called the Titanium which is nothing but the sliding menu as found in the standard edition of Windows Mobile 6.1 (non touch-screen version)

The top Start bar and the bottom soft keys taskbar will become completely transparent when this plug-in is enabled. All other today plug-in get disabled just like the TouchFLO 3D does when this plug in is enabled as it covers the entire screen.

So now in the Today screen, you have a stacked menu with sliding glassy menu which gives access to your favorites, clock, text messages, email, calendar, photos and music too. All in the precise menu format.

Programs Menu
The traditional grid styled program list is now replaced with an hexagonal launcher. The Start menu is also removed.

So now when you press the Start button, instead of the standard drop down list, you get a hexagonal launcher menu right on top of the Today screen. Again, this menu is transparent to give a glassy look behind.

The new lock screen
In the launcher screen, the left soft key area is assigned to Device Lock function which gives a new lock screen.

The lock screen will hide all the Today plug-ins and shows a clock at the bottom with a sliding unlock button at the top.

You now have a full view of the background image like a screensaver on the desktop in this lock screen along with a clock at the bottom. The unlock button also gives notification information if you have any.

Pop Up Menu
The pop-up menus were until now plain in the style of the old Windows 95 until now. Windows Mobile 6.5 will have it enlarged and much more high-lighted for finger based navigation.

Internet Explorer
The new version of Internet Explorer is included with a good zoom bar at the right side and auto full screen view of web pages. The url nav bar also has a progress bar at the back. Near the bottom you also have rounded buttons for quick functions like back, favorites, menu and so on.

We still find Opera 9.5 as the best browser for pocket pc.

Apart from this we don’t find any major improvements over previous editions of Windows Mobile. Microsoft should definitely make something elegant in Windows Mobile 7 and release it as soon as possible in order to cope with the emerging mobile technology where they’ve got a lot more competitors with far better stuffs everywhere.

when i can download it ?? theboss (86.96.226.xxx) 2009-03-19 16:33:56 when i can use it .. ilike it soo much but doesn't available now Reply | Quote 1   0

Carty (59.97.64.xxx) 2009-03-21 05:08:11 trust me, its not worth the wait. We all hope for a new era with Windows Mobile 7 instead. Reply | Quote 0   6

download ariez (69.88.24.xxx) 2009-05-16 09:03:35 good theme Reply | Quote 2   0

htc viva t2223 issam (90.153.128.xxx) 2009-09-16 05:54:44 hi is this version of wm6.5 work on my htc touch viva T2223 if it is the version now on my mob is 6.1 .....!!? Reply | Quote 1   0

issam (90.153.128.xxx) 2009-09-16 05:56:08 can any 1 tell me were and how 2 download ............ thanks. Reply | Quote 0   0

Carty (59.97.64.xxx) 2009-09-17 07:08:20 Dear Issam, HTC won't release an official Windows Mobile 6.5 update for HTC Touch Viva. But you can find unofficial builds, ask in our Experts Help section. Regards, Carty.. Reply | Quote 0   0

ipo205 (68.245.7.xxx) 2009-10-07 14:23:21 can u advise how 2 download 4 HTC TOUCH PRO Reply | Quote 0   0

Carty (59.97.65.xxx) 2009-10-08 07:21:17 Find it in our Experts Help section. Reply | Quote 0   0

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