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'Windows Mobile' is a compact operating system combined with a suite of basic applications for mobile devices based on the Microsoft Win32 API. Devices which run Windows Mobile include Pocket PCs, Smartphones, Portable Media Centers, and on-board computers for certain Automobiles. It is designed to be somewhat similar to desktop versions of Windows.
Common Windows Mobile Features
Windows Mobile for Pocket PC carries these standard features in most of its versions:
★ Today Screen shows the current date, owner information, upcoming appointments, e-mail messages, and tasks. Users can customize the screen by selecting what information they wish to be displayed. It also includes the notification bar which includes icons to notify the status of Bluetooth, etc. Programs can be installed which adds extra items to the Today screen. One of these is Microsoft Money for Pocket PC. The background image can be customised directly through the Pocket PC, or themes can be created and synchronized onto the Pocket PC.
★ The taskbar shows the current time, the volume, and the connectivity status. When a program or message box is open the blank space after the clock is filled with an OK or close icon. The main feature of the taskbar is the Start Button, which is designed similarly to the Start Button which features on desktop versions of Windows. The Start Menu features recently opened programs at the top, nine customizable menu entries, and links to the program, settings, find (search), and help.
★ Office Mobile a suite of Mobile versions of Microsoft Office applications is included in Windows Mobile. it includes Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile (included since Windows Mobile 5.0). These versions include many of the features which are used in desktop versions, but some other features like inserting tables and images have not been included in pre 5.0 versions. ActiveSync has capabilities which convert desktop versions of files to Office Mobile compatible versions.
★ Outlook mobile comes with Windows Mobile. This includes tasks, calendar, contacts, and inbox that can be sync'ed either with Outlook or direct with an Exchange Server or Kerio MailServer (internet connection is required for this method). POP3 or IMAP4 access can also be used. Microsoft Outlook for desktop versions is sometimes included in a value-added CD-ROM which is included with the Pocket PC hardware manufacturer.
★ Windows Media Player for Windows Mobile is bundled with the Windows Mobile software. Currently, all new Windows Mobile 6 Devices include Version 10.3 (Build 15342) of the player. For Older devices, Version 10 is available for download for only specified devices — these include devices from the Dell Axim range. The player supports .WMA, .WMV, .MP3, and .AVI files. Currently MPEG files are not supported, and a third-party program must be downloaded to play these, and WAV files are played in a separate player. Some versions are also capable of playing .M4A audio.
★ Client for PPTP VPNs.
Hardware Platforms
Windows Mobile runs on multiple hardware platforms including Pocket PC, Smartphone, Portable Media Center, and Automobiles. These hardware platforms did not always exist from the inception of Windows Mobile.
Pocket PC
The Pocket PC was the original intended platform for the Windows Mobile operating system. These devices consisted of both standalone Pocket PC devices without mobile phone capabilities, and those that included mobile phone capabilities. The most current name of Windows Mobile intended for use on Pocket PCs is officially "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" for devices with mobile phone capabilities, and "Windows Mobile 6 Classic" for devices without mobile phone capabilities.
Smartphone
The Smartphone became the next hardware platform after the Pocket PC to run Windows Mobile, and debuted with the release of Pocket PC 2002. Although in the broad sense of the term "Smartphone", both Pocket PC phones and Microsoft branded Smartphones each fit into this category, it should be noted that Microsoft's use of the term "Smartphone" includes only more specific hardware devices that differ from Pocket PC phones. Such Smartphones were originally designed without touchscreens, intended to be operated more efficiently with only one hand, and typically had lower resolution displays than Pocket PCs. Microsoft's focus for the Smartphone platform was to create a device that functioned well as a phone and data device in a more integrated manner.[1] The current name of Windows Mobile intended for use on Smartphones is officially "Windows Mobile 6 Standard".
Portable Media Center
The Portable Media Center was a device that focused on integration with Microsoft's Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player to allow users to carry their media libraries with them on the go. The Portable Media Center was officially introduced in 2004, and ran a modified version of Windows Mobile. These devices became the predecessor to Microsoft's Zune, and after 2006 Microsoft discontinued the project in favor of the latter.
Automobiles
"Windows Mobile for Automotive" is the name for Microsoft's operating system that facilitates multiple functions in automobiles including communication, entertainment, information systems.[2] Windows Mobile for use in automobiles is the latest platform for the operating system, and was introduced by Microsoft in February of 2006 at the Geneva International Motor Show.[3]
Versions
Pocket PC 2000
Pocket PC 2000, originally codenamed "Rapier"[4], was released in April of 2000, and was based on Windows CE 3.0. It was the debut of what was later dubbed the Windows Mobile operating system, and meant to be a successor to the operating system aboard Palm-Size PCs. Backwards compatibility was retained with such Palm-Size PC applications. Pocket PC 2000 was intended mainly for Pocket PC devices, however several Palm-Size PC devices had the ability to be updated as well. In addition, several Pocket PC 2000 phones were released, however the Smartphone hardware platform was not yet created. The only resolution supported by this release was 240 x 320 (QVGA). Removable storage card formats that were supported were CompactFlash and MultiMediaCard. At this time Pocket PC devices had not been standardized with a specific CPU architecture. As a result, Pocket PC 2000 was released on multiple CPU architectures; SH-3, MIPS, and ARM.
Features/Built-in applications for Pocket PC 2000 included the following:
★ Pocket Word and Excel
★ Pocket Outlook
★ Pocket Internet Explorer
★ Windows Media Player
★ Microsoft Reader
★ Microsoft Money
Pocket PC 2002
Typical Pocket PC 2002 Today Screen.
Pocket PC 2002, originally codenamed "Merlin"4, was released in October 2001. Like Pocket PC 2000, it was powered by Windows CE 3.0. Although targeted mainly for 240 × 320 (QVGA) Pocket PC devices, Pocket PC 2002 was also used for Pocket PC phones, and for the first time, Smartphones.[5] These Pocket PC 2002 Smartphones were mainly GSM devices. With future releases, the Pocket PC and Smartphone lines would increasingly collide as the licensing terms were relaxed allowing OEMs to take advantage of more innovative, individual design ideas. Aesthetically, Pocket PC 2002 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows XP.
New Features/Built-in Applications included the following:[6]
★ Theme Support
★ Spell Checker in Pocket Word
★ Savable downloads in Pocket Internet Explorer
★ Virtual Private Networking
★ Synchronization of folders
★ MSN Messenger
★ Terminal Services
Windows Mobile 2003
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Windows Mobile 2003, originally codenamed "Ozone"4, was released on June 23 2003, and was the first release under the Windows Mobile banner. It came in four editions: "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Premium Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Professional Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone" and "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition". The last was designed especially for Pocket PCs which include phone functionalities (like HTC's Himalaya, distributed in many countries as Qtek, XDA, MDA or VPA). The Professional Edition was used in Pocket PC budget models such as the iPAQ rz1700 series. It lacked a number of features that were in the Premium Edition, such as a client for L2TP/IPsec VPNs.
Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone is — despite several similarities with Pocket PC — a substantially different platform that also requires software applications to be specifically targeting this device type. To name a few specifics, Windows Mobile powered Smartphone devices do not have touchscreens, have lower display resolution, have a regular phone keypad, and are specially designed for single-handed use.
Windows Mobile 2003 is powered by Windows CE 4.20.
Windows Mobile 2003 SE
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, also known as "Windows Mobile 2003 SE", was released on March 24 2004 and first offered on the Dell Axim x30. It includes a number of improvements over its predecessor, such as:
★ The option to switch from portrait to landscape screen layout. This is not available in the Smartphone version.
★ Pocket Internet Explorer (otherwise known as PIE) includes the option to force a page into a single-column layout, making reading easier since one now only has to scroll vertically.
★ VGA (640×480) screen resolution is now supported in addition to the previous 320×240 resolution. Also supported is a new square form factor (240×240 and 480×480 for VGA screens), which is ideally suited for manufacturers wishing to include a hardware keyboard. Although it wasn't originally stated to contain this feature, Microsoft decided to add it due to pressure from Pocket PC manufacturers.
★ Support for Wi-Fi Protected Access.
Windows Mobile 5.0
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Windows Mobile 5.0, originally codenamed "Magneto"4, was released on May 9, 2005, and first offered on the Dell Axim x51. It is powered by Windows CE 5.0 and uses the .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2 — an environment for programs based on .NET to be used.
;Features include:
★ A new version of Office called "Office Mobile"
★
★ PowerPoint Mobile has been added
★
★ Excel Mobile adds graphing capability
★
★ Word Mobile adds tables and graphics insertion
★ Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
★ Photo Caller ID
★ DirectShow Support
★ Picture and Video package, which converges the management of videos and pictures
★ Bluetooth support with fewer features than prior Broadcom/Widcomm alternatives, although some users reportedly have managed to replace the default stack with the legacy Broadcom/Widcomm stack.
★ Global Positioning System (GPS) management interface to all navigation programs installed
★ Microsoft Exchange Server "push" functionality improvements - Improvements only function with Exchange 2003 SP2 installed.[7] The "push" functionality also requires vendor/device support[8], with the Palm Treo and Motorola Q scheduled to receive support with Q1 2006 firmware updates. With AKU2 software upgrades all WM 5.0 devices support DirectPush
★ QWERTY keyboard-support is included by default
★ Error reporting facility similar to that present in desktop and server Windows systems
★ ActiveSync 4.2, promising 10–15% increased speed on synchronization
★ Persistent storage (PS) is now supported in Pocket PCs allowing devices to have increased battery life. Previously up to 50% (enough for 72 hours of storage) of battery power was reserved just to maintain data in volatile RAM. Windows-based devices are moving from using RAM as their primary storage medium to the use of flash memory.
★ 'Windows Mobile' updates are released as Adaptation kit upgrade. AKU3.5 is the most current release.
Windows Mobile 5.0 was released at Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference 2005 in Las Vegas, May 9–May 12, 2005.
Windows Mobile 6
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Windows Mobile 6, formerly codenamed "Crossbow"4, is the latest version of Windows Mobile platform and has been released on February 12, 2007 [9] at the 3GSM World Congress 2007. It comes in three different versions: 'Windows Mobile 6 Standard' for Smartphones (phones without touchscreens), 'Windows Mobile 6 Professional' for PDAs with phone functionality (Pocket PC Phone Edition), and 'Windows Mobile 6 Classic' for plain PDAs without cellular radios.[10]
Windows Mobile 6 is powered by Windows CE 5.0 (version 5.2) and is strongly linked to Windows Live and Exchange 2007 products.
Windows Mobile 6 Standard was first offered on the Orange's SPV E650,[11] while Windows Mobile 6 Professional was first offered on the O2's Xda Terra.[12]
'Summary of Specs and New Features in Windows Mobile 6:[13]'
★ Supports 800x480 (WVGA) resolution.
★ The ability to create and edit Office documents on the Smartphone platform.
★ Operating System Live Update [14]
★ Improved Remote Desktop access [15]. It should be noted though, that the Remote Desktop Client is not a default application and does not appear in most distributions of Windows Mobile 6 [16]
★ VoIP (Internet calling) support with AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancelling) and MSRT Audio Codec
★ Windows Live for Windows Mobile. [17]
★ Customer Feedback option. [18]
★ Microsoft Bluetooth Stack greatly improved.
★ Storage Card Encryption - Windows Mobile 6-based Pocket PC and Smartphone devices support encryption of data stored in external removable storage cards.
★ ''Smartfilter'' to search faster through emails, contacts, songs, files, etc.
★ Improved Internet Sharing to easily setup your device as a Laptop Modem.
★ Outlook Mobile now supports viewing HTML email.
★ Ability to search for contacts in an Exchange Server Address Book.
★ Support for AJAX, JavaScript and XMLDOM on Internet Explorer Mobile
★ Set Out of Office Replies from the device (requires Microsoft Exchange 2007).
★ Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) support for selected Operators (like BT in the UK).
★ ''Server Search'' to Search your entire Exchange mailbox from the device (requires Exchange 2007).
★ .NET Compact Framework v2 SP2 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition pre-installed in ROM.
★ Office Mobile 2007 was announced in June 2007 and will be launched in Q3 2007. It will provide support for Office 2007 file formats and will be released as a free update for WM5 and WM6, but will ship pre-installed in ROM for all WM6 devices launched after that date.[19]
Next Versions
Photon (2008)
Microsoft is currently working on an upgrade to the Windows Mobile platform which is codenamed ''Photon'' and will be powered by Windows Embedded CE 6.0. It's said that ''Photon'' will finally merge the Smartphone and Pocket PC versions in one unified Windows Mobile Version.
The successor to Windows Mobile 6 is scheduled for release in the first half of 2008.[20]
;Summary of Specs:
★ Q4 ‘07 Release to manufacturers
★ Based on Windows Embedded CE 6.0.
★ New, Flexible Shell
★ Modular Containers
★ Q1/Q2 ’08 Marketing Launch
Naming Conventions
| Pocket PC 2000 | Pocket PC 2002 | Windows Mobile 2003 | Windows Mobile software for Portable Media Centers | Windows Mobile 2003 SE | Windows Mobile 5.0 | Windows Mobile for Automotive 1.0 | Windows Mobile 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket PC (Without Mobile Phone) | Pocket PC 2000 | Pocket PC 2002 | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC | N/A | Windows Mobile 2003 SE for Pocket PC | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC | N/A | Windows Mobile 6 Classic |
| Pocket PC (With Mobile Phone) | Pocket PC 2000 Phone Edition | Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition | N/A | Windows Mobile 2003 SE for Pocket PC Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC Phone Edition | N/A | Windows Mobile 6 Professional |
| Smartphone | N/A | Pocket PC 2002 for Smartphone | Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone | N/A | Windows Mobile 2003 SE for Smartphone | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone | N/A | Windows Mobile 6 Standard |
| Portable Media Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | Windows Mobile software for Portable Media Centers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Automobile | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Windows Mobile for Automotive 1.0 | N/A |
References
1. Mobile Phones|Smartphone - Software Features Overview. Microsoft. Retrieved 6 September 2007 from the Internet Archive.
2. Windows Mobile for Automotive 1.0. Microsoft. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
3. ''Microsoft Windows Mobile for Automotive Launches with Fiat System''. Geekzone. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
4. De Herrera, Chris. ''Windows CE/Windows Mobile Versions''. pocketpcfaq.com. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
5. Morris, John; Taylor, Josh, ''Microsoft jumps in the all-in-one game'', zdnet.com, Retrieved from the Internet Archive 6 September 2007.
6. ''Announcing the New Pocket PC 2002'', Microsoft, Retrieved from the Internet Archive 6 September 2007.
7. New Mobility Features in Exchange Server 2003 SP2
8. Microsoft Looks to Mobilize With Exchange SP2
9.
10. Differences between platforms
11. Windows Mobile 6 offered on Orange, HTC Vox
12. Windows Mobile 6 offered on Xda, HTC Herald
13. Summary of Windows Mobile 6 Specs
14. Operating System Live Update
15. Improved Remote Desktop access
16. RDP Client is not included in many WM6 devices
17. Windows Live
18. Customer Feedback Option
19. Office Mobile 2007 to be offered on Q3 2007
20. Vista-inspired Windows Mobile 6 spied on web
See also
★ StyleTap
★ Microsoft
★ Windows CE, Windows CE 3.0, Windows CE 5.0
★ Windows Mobile Device Center
★ ActiveSync
★ Handheld PC
★ Palm-size PC
★ Pocket PC
★ Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003
★ Tablet PC
★ Palm OS
★ Samsung Blackjack
★ Treo 700w
★ Treo 700wx
★ Qtopia
★ Motorola Q
★ Browser wars: Other browser competition: Mobile Devices
★ Zune, a family of portable music, gaming, and video devices and services from Microsoft that competes with Hard Drive-based Digital Audio Players. Runs on a modified version of Windows Mobile for Portable Media Center.
★ Adaptation kit upgrade.
★ Symbian OS
★ Access Co.
External links
★ Official site of Windows Mobile
★ Windows Mobile Product Team Blog
★ List of Windows Mobile Communities
★ mobile-review.com's review of v. 6.0
★ Windows Mobile 2003 Screenshot Gallery
★ Database of all Windows Mobile devices
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