Windows Mobile 6 - not just a pretty interface

Windows Mobile 6 represents a collection of improvements on Windows Mobile 5 although it doesn't go as far as many had expected. A more complete revamp is expected to follow towards late 2008. Visually, Windows Mobile 6 looks a bit more like Windows Vista and has some Vista-like functions. It will also integrate with the Windows Live online services, including Messenger, Search and Hotmail. Another significant change is the inclusion of support for Microsoft Office features previously only available on PCs. It includes mobile versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Users are able to view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting, without affecting tables, images or text. PowerPoint presentations can be viewed but not edited. It also includes integrated push-style email and Outlook sync via Microsoft Exchange servers, introduced with Windows Mobile 5 but only as options.

Main plus points

- Easier email set-up and management. Nine new one-click options have been added, including (for the first time) setting a flag. Users with Exchange 2007 can also set up an out-of-office auto reply.
- HTML emails. WM6 allows emails to be read in their original HTML format so text and images appear as they would on a pc.
- Improved device security and management - including the ability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.
- Smart calendar bar, a great at-a-glance summary of upcoming appointments for the day or week ahead.
- A single address book including phone, email and Messenger contacts in one place, including presence information for Messenger contacts.
- Contacts with context. Call history is now where it belongs, in each individual contact card.
- Protected content - for businesses that use Microsoft's Information Rights Management (IRM) technology.
- Improved web browsing - Internet Explorer is faster on WM6 and the homepage now contains a search box and useful quick-access drop-down boxes for Favourites and History.

'Smartphone' and 'Pocket PC' versions have now been replaced by 'Professional' for devices with a touchscreen and 'Standard' for devices without. One difference is that Windows Mobile 6 Professional devices can create Office Mobile documents from scratch, while Standard WM6 phones can only read them and make minor edits.

The first devices to run Windows Mobile 6 include:

HTC S710	Motorola MOTO Q 9h	Eten X800

Windows Mobile 6 is now available as a free download for customers with the HTC TyTN and P4350 - go to www.europe.htc.com for further details.

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