Thread: Overview of Windows Mobile

As a result, the opportunity to get acquainted with the new version of the operating system Windows Mobile appeared before the official announcement, well before the emergence of the first devices based on the new OS. In an online version of the OS for devices HTC Himalayas (Qtek 2020, I-mate Pocket PC, and others, we tested for Qtek 2020). Today, we publish updated review. We need a reservation that either in the forum or by e-mail, we will not answer questions about where to download new firmware to the operating system and how to set it up.

General changes
When you first launch the device requests a password (or a simple four-resistant, you can also enter a hint to the code). Step right, many simply enjoyed the default, which meant the absence of any protection. Changed system sounds, they are more pleasant. Old, honestly admit, has already become boring. System reminders now appear from the bottom rather than the top, in the form of clouds, as in the past.

The main interface changes are designed to all of the capabilities of OS could use with one hand, without the use of the touch screen. At the bottom of the screen appeared soft keys (two inscriptions at the bottom of the screen). They can be tied to any hardware keys at will. In connection with this change in the design of embedded applications, all of the options put to soft keys. On the homepage screen icons made at the bottom line above, this manager Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, other icons. We have to compare with Magneto (right) give screens with WM 2003 SE (left) - here and in some places more.

The second point designed to be easy to manage device, not s'mores stylus, it improved navigation joystick, before its functions were limited. Some examples: changing the configuration of GPRS. Using separate keys causing Start menu. Push twice "up" and "input" to fall into a setup. Four times "up" (enter at your favorite), twice "right" (enter at laying "connections"), "doubled-up" and "input". Easy to configure, click "OK". Earlier this can be done only by using stylus, it can be done now exclusively hardware keys. The same applies to other actions - various adjustment sliders (brightness of the screen, for example), a check by placing ticks in boxes, moving from field to field, between the values in the list.
Working with QWERTY-keyboard, too, has changed - almost all actions can perform on your keyboard (previously was almost necessary assistance stylus).

The effect of the changes imposed obvious: with the advent of the smartphone QVGA screens need for a separate version for Windows Mobile smartphones. Meaning to maintain two versions of the operating system - Windows Mobile for Smartphone and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC - no, when one combines two possibilities. Previously, the division was justified because of two factors. First, there is a limit to screen resolution. Secondly, the failure of old versions of Pocket PC and Windows Mobile to manage with the help of digital joystick and keyboard. Nevertheless, the two branches were still exist side by side, another version for smartphones live for a while (despite the fact that WM for PPC can be managed without the use of the touch screen, not all the many functions available without a touch screen, on ergonomics two OS still differ). The company Microsoft clearly intends to merge the two branches into one, but one that - in the conclusion of the review.

Outlook Mobile
One of the main tasks of PDAs - it is an organization of contacts, schedule time, the list of cases, notes. To this you can add e-mail. Naturally, all this has to be synchronized without any problems. All this is a package of Pocket Outlook. Some applications in a set, improved part remained without significant changes.

Contacts. The main change: now without any standard programs can be attached to the contact picture. This feature appeared in a desktop version of MS Outlook 2003, it was logical that it moved to a mobile version. Potential contacts are at the desktop level analogue. In previous versions of Windows Mobile was available to fill the 29 fields, plus a text note. In WM 5.0, in addition to photos, you can assign the melody of the call to a separate contact. Available 37 fields to be filled (additional fields - IM, Company Tel, IM2, IM3, Manager, Govt. ID, Account, Customer ID) article text (text only, paint by hand or voice to retain the note can no longer be). Change the title of the fields is not, as in the desktop version. The disadvantage is difficult to name - 37 fields more than enough, and if that does not fit - can be written in text article. There are two fields for domestic workers and two rooms, but only one mobile phone number, number of fields can not be changed, as in the desktop version. Can not assign the melody to the group, it would have to do with third-party programs, such as Photo Contacts Pro. Problem with no synchronization with a PC, including the Russian language.

Communications. Here, unfortunately, no major changes: as before HTML does not appear in the body - only text, slightly changed design (Filled hats letter). A problem with incorrect mappings in Cyrillic letters while viewing the title, now the problem with displaying letters in the local encoding completely absent. You can put automatic encoding, if you want you can select manual encoding. Deleted messages will not download again, but a letter from the server is not removed. An alternative solution is to mail client Web IS Mail 2, all the problems with Cyrillic currently resolved (today it is the best mail client for Pocket PC.

Office Mobile
The version for MS Office of the CPC renamed Pocket Office in the Office Mobile, similarly renamed members of the package programme. Apart from the new name package has undergone significant changes: from global change Word Mobile and Excel Mobile, to the occurrences of an entirely new program PowerPoint Mobile. Note-out of pocket-sized instruments used only desktop format. You can forget about never prizhivshiesya file formats *. PSW (Pocket Word Document), and *. PXL (Pocket Excel Workbook). But everything in order.

Excel Mobile. The main innovation - supporting schedules (plus six types of graphs). The rest remains practically unchanged. Available zoom, full-screen output, the area can be secured. You can choose to himself what interface elements remove. For example, to cover up the right-line scrolling, remove the status bar, and so forth. Thus, the display of the working surface of the sheet given to a large display. Let's now draw up a document with complex formatting Excel (on the second sheet, we will cover chart), and try to edit it in the Windows Mobile 2005 and the previous version of the operating system (Pocket Excel).
Word Mobile. Built-in text editor was subjected to strong changes. First, as is the case with Excel Mobile, the developers abandoned the internal file format (Pocket Word Document). Opportunities to create documents similar predecessor - it is simple formatting to a paragraph, lists, and insert the table or not a picture, not to mention the more complex processing. But as soon as it comes to editing documents already finished, it is crucial differences.



Internet
Internet Explorer. Visible changes following - a secure connection icon on the left of the address bar, an extra period at the bottom of the screen (it shows progress loading). Ability to resume files if the connection was interrupted.
Pages processing engine has not changed, but a full-screen, the ability to preserve the image - as a novelty. Virtually every page can be stretched in one column, without horizontal scrolling (mode "a" column, there are three whole regime). The disadvantage - the only serious - the inability to open multiple windows simultaneously. Among the alternatives are MultiIE, with the help of which you can open multiple windows. Rather, it is a superstructure built on Pocket Internet Explorer, expands its capacity. Internet has a built-messenger MSN Messenger, MSN as part of the package.
New Annex - Download Agent. Logical and convenient - the tool automates downloading updates to the software immediately on the device. Unfortunately, try it in action has not yet happened.

Multimedia
Windows Media version 10.1 was available for Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, but only for a small part of devices. Now it is becoming standard. The main purpose of his - complement the desktop version of "dozens", synchronized with it through Active Sync. The only visible difference - the user can assign a rating on a five-scale composition (displayed as a top stars - from one to five).

Options embedded driver
Bluetooth. This wireless standard (built-driver) again is on the embryonic level. Some attempts to improve built a stack, but it is still very far from what we can see in the drivers of Broadcom (they are used in all models of middle and upper price range). There are icons for the different types of devices, built support HID devices (Bluetooth keyboard can be attached, for example).
Last, we celebrate - this utility Error Reporting. It collects and sends information to Microsoft error on the Windows desktop, the system has been in existence for a long time. Utilities can be disabling.

ActiveSync 4.0
A new version of the device to synchronize data with a PC. Based on synthetic tests, the speed of synchronization, and if increased, the slightly - by 10-15%. By sensations strongly increased speed of access to data. If synchronization is interrupted, now connect at the time synchronization will begin from where it was interrupted, it is quite convenient. The maximum number of computers that can synchronize the device - two. Settings can be changed directly from the pocket computer.