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Windows Mobile 6.5

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Windows Mobile 6.5e
Version of the Windows Mobile operating system
File:Windows Mobile 6 logo.jpg
DeveloperMicrosoft
OS familyMicrosoft Windows
Working stateNo longer supported
Source modelClosed-source
Released to
manufacturing		May 11, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-05-11)
Preceded byWindows Mobile 6.1
Succeeded byWindows Phone 7
Support status
Unsupported as of January 8, 2013.[1]

Windows Mobile 6.5 was a stopgap update to Windows Mobile 6.1 intended to bridge the gap between version 6.1, that arrived in 2010, and the then yet-to-be released Windows Phone 7.

It was never part of Microsoft's original mobile phone roadmap, and has been described by its former chief executive Steve Ballmer as "not the full release [Microsoft] wanted" (which later became Windows Phone 7).[2] Ballmer also indicated that the company "screwed up with Windows Mobile", lamenting that Windows Mobile 7 was not yet available and that the Windows Mobile team needed to try to recoup losses.[3] Microsoft unveiled this version at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in February,[4] and several devices were supplied with it.[5] It was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009; the first devices running the operating system appeared in late October 2009.[6] Several phones that officially shipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 can be officially updated to Windows Mobile 6.5.[7] This update includes some significant new added features, such as a revamped GUI, a new Today screen resembling that of Microsoft's Zune player with vertically scrollable labels (called 'Titanium').[8] WM6.5 also included the Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, with improved interface.[9]

Along with Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announced several cloud computing services codenamed "SkyBox", "SkyLine", "SkyMarket".[10] "SkyBox" has been confirmed as My Phone,[11] while "SkyMarket" has been confirmed as Windows Marketplace for Mobile.[12] This version was designed mainly for easier finger usage.[13] Some reviewers have noted interface inconsistencies, with some applications having small buttons making them harder to operate using only a finger.[14] Whilst this version of Windows Mobile does not natively support capacitive screens, mobile manufacturers have been able to use them on their devices.[15]

In the months following this release, development shifted from Windows Mobile to its successor Windows Phone. As such no major upgrades were planned or released, although three minor updates; 6.5.1, 6.5.3 and 6.5.5; were made to satisfy consumers during the transition period. 6.5.1 brings larger user interface elements,[16] including icon based soft buttons (rather than text based),[17] an updated contacts app,[18] native support for A-GPS,[16] improved threaded text messaging,[19] and performance improvements.[20] It was unofficially ported to several Windows Mobile phones.[21]

The second minor update was announced on February 2, 2010, along with the Sony Ericsson Aspen which was the first phone to use this version.[22] 6.5.3 continues the trend of attempting to provide a more finger-friendly user interface with several new usability features such as native support for multitouch; although device maker HTC Corporation created proprietary work-arounds to allow multi-touch to work on some applications it installed on its HD2 handset (However, Microsoft applications on this handset, such as the Internet Explorer web browser, did not support multi-touch.[23]) and drag-and-drop start menu icons. Touchable tiles replaced soft keys."[24] Internet Explorer Mobile 6 also received some major updates including decreased page load time, improved memory management and gesture smoothing.[25] As with other updates it was unofficially ported to some other devices. Additional features include threaded email and Office Mobile 2010.[26]

The last minor update and the last released version is 6.5.5. It first leaked in January 2010, and was unofficially ported to some Windows Mobile phones.[27] The name Windows Mobile 6.5.5 has been applied to these newer builds, although this name remains unconfirmed by Microsoft.

References

  1. ^ "Microsoft Support Lifecycle". Support. Microsoft. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Ballmer: Win Mobile 6.5 an unwanted stopgap". MacNN. March 5, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Ballmer: We 'screwed up with Windows Mobile'". Computerworld. September 25, 2009.
  4. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5 walkthrough with Engadget (now with video!)".
  5. ^ "Browse and Buy Windows Phones".
  6. ^ "Windows Mobile: What's coming when - All about microsoft - ZDNet.com".
  7. ^ "Updating your phone to Windows Mobile 6.5". Microsoft. March 4, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  8. ^ Slattery, Brennon (October 6, 2009). "Windows Mobile 6.5 Arrives, Mostly Disappoints". TechHive. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  9. ^ "IE 6 for Windows phones: Interface improved".
  10. ^ "Microsoft set to unveil MobileMe competitor next month".
  11. ^ "Microsoft My Phone beta – Microsoft".
  12. ^ "Microsoft announces Windows Marketplace and My Phone for Windows Mobile".
  13. ^ "MWC: Your Definitive Windows Mobile 6.5 Post-Release Guide – Pocketnow".
  14. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5 UI a big improvement; more work needed". Ars Technica. February 16, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  15. ^ "HTC HD2 Review on CNET UK".
  16. ^ a b WMPoweruser.com (July 20, 2009). "Windows Phone 6.5 build 21925 in video". Wmpoweruser.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  17. ^ WMPoweruser.com. "Latest Windows Mobile 6.5 build out". Wmpoweruser.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  18. ^ WMPoweruser.com. "windows mobile 6.5". Wmpoweruser.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  19. ^ "New Text Message Screen on Windows Phone 6.5.1". Pocketnow.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  20. ^ WMPoweruser.com. "Windows Phone 6.5.1 just become smoother". Wmpoweruser.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  21. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5 Build 23409". WMExperts. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  22. ^ "the::unwired – RELEASE: Microsoft introduces Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional for Windows Phones". unwired. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  23. ^ "HTC HD2 Leo lacks universal multi-touch". KnowYourMobile. September 25, 2009.
  24. ^ "Developing Widgets for Windows Phone 6.5". Msdn.microsoft.com. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  25. ^ "What's new in Windows Phone 6.5.3".
  26. ^ "Threaded Emails Demoed on Outlook Mobile in Windows Phone 6.5.3".
  27. ^ "WM6.5.5|101m|6.5 kernel|Full Roms By jjblaster3|upd 23529|translatable|16/Feb/2010". Retrieved June 20, 2010.
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