Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0

Microsoft announces built-in software advances for future devicesby Rich Hall headingFive years ago this past April Microsoft and three manufacturing partners introduced the Pocket PC, a new and more powerful class of PDA with built-in productivity applications and a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft. For the last five years Microsoft has continued to develop this software, fixing bugs, enhancing features, and adding new applications to the suite. They've also introduced two additional device categories: the Pocket PC Phone Edition and the Windows Mobile Smartphone. Finally, they've re-branded the operating system (OS)/application software suite a few times. What started out as “Pocket PC 2000” evolved into “Pocket PC 2002,” then “Windows Mobile 2003,” and more recently “Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.” Well, they're at it again! On May 10 of this year Microsoft formally announced their fifth major update, “Windows Mobile 5.0,” and there's more to this new version than a name change. Microsoft's goals for this release were threefold. First, they wanted to improve end user's productivity by giving them faster access to information and better productivity tools. Second, they want to enhance the user's multimedia experience and give them more options to use media to personalize their devices. Finally, they wanted to make it easier for manufacturers to build, brand, and differentiate the Windows Mobile devices they create.It's the autumn release season, and new devices running Windows Mobile 5.0 have begun to hit the market. We bring you a hands-on,  in-depth look at the next-generation OS.

WindowsCE kernel upgrade The upgrading of the OS kernel is mainly an "invisible" change, at least to the end-user. Developers will have a few more options to work with, and enterprises will have new security features to insure that sensitive data doesn't get left on a lost or stolen device. But for the most part, users won't notice a real difference. 

One-handed navigation A long overdue addition to the Windows user interface is the ability to navigate without using the touchscreen. The PocketPC version of Windows Mobile 5.0 has adopted "soft keys" similar to those found on Windows Smartphones. These soft keys reside on the bottom of the screen, and provide context-sensitive commands. The soft keys can be activated either by tapping on them, or by pressing the hardware button associated with that key. When a softkey pulls up a menu, the directional pad can be used to select the option you want.

PocketPC/Smartphone application compatibility  Another selling point of WM5 is application compatibility between the Pocket PC and Smartphone versions of the OS. Previously, developers had to produce two seperate installs for their programs if they wanted to work on both PPC and SP. Now, the same version of a program will run on both devices, at least in theory. It's about time. The need to have seperate, incompatible versions of an application negated any real benefit from running similar operating systems on Pocket PCs and Windows Smartphones.

ActiveSync 4.0 ActiveSync 4.0 really doesn't look any different from AS3.8. All the options are the same. The update notes talk about an "Enhanced user interface," but then those same update notes talk about Bluetooth syncing like it's a new feature. The only significant difference that I can find between ActiveSync 3.8 and 4.0 is that AS4 is missing the ability to synchronize your device over a TCP/IP connection. This means that you'll no longer be able to sync over WiFi, ethernet, dialup, cellular, VPN, or any other remote access method. The only accepted means of syncing are now Bluetooth or a cabled connection to the PC. Unfortunately, if you want to sync a WM5 device, you've got no choice but to "upgrade" to AS4, since older versions refuse to sync with the new models.