Review of Windows Mobile 6.0 for PPC (Crossbow) operating system
Before starting the review, we have to make a short note in order to prevent an avalanche of letters similar to what we experienced after publishing the article on Windows Mobile 5.0. The crew working for Mobile-Review.com won’t answer the questions such as “where can I find the latest operating system for my device” no matter where you post them. Most of the existing models won’t receive an update to Windows Mobile Crossbow, since a communicator is not a desktop PC and there is no way for downloading from somewhere a new version of OS and installing it outright, even though no restrictions on hardware are seemingly in effect. It’s the manufacturer rather than Microsoft, who must release a firmware containing new operating system that can be uploaded/bought on the manufacturer’s official site afterwards.
Today we are getting our readers to know the new mobile operating system by Microsoft codenamed “Windows Mobile Crossbow”. The most probable title for the commercial edition, though, is “Windows Mobile 6.0”, but it is the thing to remain veiled until an official announcement is made. Beginning from the previous version of Windows Mobile, the company has put into practice a new approach to indexing, so that now codenames are replaced by numbers, like “5.0”, “6.0” etc. Interestingly, the second digit in the index hasn’t been called for up until now, in other words, we haven’t seen Windows Mobile 5.2 or 5.3 yet, since all intermediate updates and patch-works have been introduced within various versions of AKU (Adaptation Kit Update) update packs.
Nevertheless, the brand-new operating system could be called “Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition” for it lacks tons of all-new features and total system revamp as in the case of Windows Mobile 5.0. The most considerable upgrades are coming up in the next version, being developed under the codename of “Windows Mobile Photon” scheduled for release in two years time at best. Being under the pressure of launches of new products in its software range, including MS Windows Vista, MS Office 2007, MS Exchange 2007, Microsoft had no other choice but release an updated version of Windows Mobile. Most of Windows Mobile 6.0’s new functions are aimed at providing support for what MS Exchange 2007 brings to the table. Here with Crossbow we still have the same division - WM for Pocket PC and WM for Smartphone, which will fade away only in WM Photon. Today we are giving a close-up to the Pocket PC edition, while the operating system for smartphones will be reviewed later.
As soon as we get final version of a device carrying the new OS onboard, we will patch up this review right away – basically, the same thing happened to the article on Windows Mobile 5.0. As of today, not all functions are operating properly and some of them don’t start up at all. Though, it’s almost for sure now that new features are not going to be implemented, since the manufacturers are getting RTM edition in November, 2006.
Like we mentioned above, the codename for the new Windows Mobile version is Crossbow. Now let us reminisce and find out what codenames were given to the previous versions of mobile Windows platform and their announcement dates.
* Windows Mobile 6.0 – Crossbow – not announced;
* Windows Mobile 5.0 – Magneto – May 10, 2005;
* Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition – Ozone Update –March 24, 2005;
* Windows Mobile 2003 – Ozone – June 23, 2003;
* Pocket PC 2002 – Merlin – October 4, 2001;
* Pocket PC 2000 (Palm-size PC v2) – Rapier – April 19 2000;
* Palm PC v1.0/1.2 – Gryphon/Wyvern – January 8, 1998 (3 moths later Palm PC was renamed to Palm-size PC).
As one of my acquaintances (involved in development) said, “Crossbow is a weapon aimed at our competitors”. Let us see what brand-new features are considered by Microsoft to be such deadly weapons and why this or that function has eventually popped up. So, numerous improvements and updates for Outlook Mobile have much to do with the new version of MS Exchange; refreshed outlook and sound themes are inspired by the upcoming Windows Vista; integration with Windows Live and a new application going by the name of “Live Messenger Mobile” – both are very predictable steps; bundled support for VoIP – a strikeback at the competitor’s actions, who have already implemented this feature into own solutions and a response to the market shifts, demanding for VoIP-enabled products; Smart Dial 2.0 integration into Pocket PC is just another valuable step on the way of merging two Windows Mobile branches. And naturally, WM Crossbow retains all updates brought about by AKUs for Windows Mobile 5.0.
The system requirements haven’t changed about - 32 Mb Flash ROM, and 32 Mb RAM. Though the most typical memory volumes for devices will remain 64 Mb ROM and 64 Mb RAM, with ROM size topping out at a couple of gigabytes, depending on model. The new operating system features the same CPU requirements, implying that stable operation is possible at 200 Mhz – as for the very first impressions of managing the Crossbow, the system’s performance has gotten better, as apps and tools are loading somewhat speedier now, and this isn’t only my personal point of view, everyone who had a chance to play around with the OS interface noted that. In fact, the work on optimization started back at the release of AKU 3.0, where they decreased start-up time after soft reset.
The operating system bases off the old kernel Windows Compact Edition (WinCE) 5, while the sixth version has already been announced. The brand-new kernel boasts support for Direct3D Mobile (initially tailored to work with Wireless MMX – a technology, supported by Intel XScale CPUs representing the latest generation), Windows Error Reporting, ability to act as a USB drive without forcing users to install drivers (not all manufacturers empower their commercial units running on Windows Mobile with this feature), enhanced support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and much more. Thanks to relatively outdated kernel and slight changes in the interface, no issues regarding compatibility with already existing applications have been observed – we have tried out loads of programs, and all of them worked as if we were using Windows Mobile 5.0.
General changes
On the first start-up the device requires you to set password (simple four-digit sequence or more reliable, secret question can be also submitted). After doing that you will be offered to set up mail by going through a wizard (which made its first appearance in WM 5.0 AKU 3.0), which is really handy for an inexperienced user, as all important variables and options, including security (which is left out by many) and mail can be adjusted right away.
Revamped outlook, menu, new sound themes, interface speed (wmv, 17.5 Mb)>>>
Each and every system sound notification and default ring tones have been totally re-mastered, so that there are no old tunes left (such beloved tone as Old Phone, used as a ring tone by many, has gone missing as well).
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