Microsoft today formally announced Windows Mobile 6. The dominant smart device operating system makes several minor improvements to the existing Windows Mobile platform, including:
- Windows Live Messenger
- Windows Live Search (integrated on the Today screen, not pictured above)
- Updated .NET Compact Framework
- HTML-rich Email
- Windows Live Search
- Office suite now supports editing of files (in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Vista-inspired look-and-feel
- Windows Update
Also Windows Mobile 6 marks a significant change in branding, meant to better identify the devices. PDA devices that do not include a phone are now Windows Mobile Classic devices. Smartphones will now be referred to as Windows Mobile Standard devices. Phone Edition will now be titled Windows Mobile Professional. Microsoft hopes that by having Standard, Classic, and Professional devices and versions, that users will be able to better identify compatible software.
Some features, such as Windows Live Search and .NET CF, are expected to be offered to existing Windows Mobile 5 owners. While no devices have been officially announced to receive Windows Mobile 6 upgrades, the T-Mobile Dash is rumored to get an upgrade, and beta releases have leaked for the HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125 & T-Mobile MDA).
