The release of the new OS comes with the announcement about a new free service deemed My Phone, which backs up information stored on your Windows Mobile phone and then easily syncs with your computer.
In the most exciting news that Microsoft had to offer with the new OS, the browser will support Adobe Flash (and Flash video). This would deliver the utmost in browser capability in the mobile market. Reviewers do note the Flash performance is slow, but potentially something that could be improved upon in the future and before the official release.
The new operating system will not be available on phones from manufacturers until close to the end of the year.
The name change also "reflects the upcoming desktop operating system release where people away from their PC can have the same experience everywhere," says Microsoft. Are you suitably un-boggled?
The name Windows Phone applies to Windows Mobile 6.1, 6.5 and multitouch Windows Mobile 7. At least something in the Windows universe is forwards and backwards compatible.
To show off upcoming Christmas goodies, Microsoft let slip to the INQ that Windows Mobile 6.5 is to be re-christened Windows Phone.
This, says Vole, is an effort to unboggle the minds of the consumer with all the "6.1" and "6.5" business that exists now, and which they're afraid will get even worse when Windows Mobile 7 arrives.
One complaint from reviewers was the lack of the ability to utilize more than one finger at a time. The reason for this is that the operating system is still designed to work with a stylus while also catering to touch screen devices meaning it utilizes resistive touch-screen technology so it requires more pressure to get acknowledgement from the device. So, Microsoft has not completely moved into the touch-screen technology world.
Features of the new platform (that is WM 6.5, aka Windows Phone) include back-up of all SMS and email content into Vole's cloud, remote disabling of the handset and inclusion of an Itunes-alike Windows Mobile software repository called Market Place.
If this sounds like a phoney story to you, it did to us as well but we have this confirmed in a video which should be around on Friday, included in a first look preview of the final version of Windows Phone.
The new version of the operating system is designed to be user friendly where the new and popular touch-screen devices are concerned. The company is moving away from a design that requires users to utilize a stylus. The company is also shying away from such a professional appearance and appeal more to the on the go, iPhone like generation. With less emphasis on pull down menus, and the use of larger icons the operating system is designed to be more visually appealing.
