X
Tech

T-Mobile offers free Windows Mobile 6 upgrade to Dash owners

T-Mobile launched the Dash Windows Mobile Smartphone back in October 2006 and I picked one up right away. Today, T-Mobile leads the way in the U.S. Windows Mobile market with the release of the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade. You can visit the T-Mobile Windows Mobile upgrade page on Friday, 4 May and download your free update. Make sure that you read the directions in the ROM upgrade install application so you don't brick your device. The instructions state that you should expect the upgrade to take 10 minutes, but I performed mine in only 4 so your mileage may vary. The upgrade was quick and yet transforms the device into a much more usable device, IMHO. Windows Mobile 6 isn't revolutionary, but it definitely has a load of usability improvements and I recommend every Dash owner upgrade their device.
Written by Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer

T-Mobile launched the Dash Windows Mobile Smartphone back in October 2006 and I picked one up right away. Today, T-Mobile leads the way in the U.S. Windows Mobile market with the release of the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade. You can visit the T-Mobile Windows Mobile upgrade page on Friday, 4 May now and download your free update. Make sure that you read the directions in the ROM upgrade install application so you don't brick your device. The instructions state that you should expect the upgrade to take 10 minutes, but I performed mine in only 4 so your mileage may vary. The upgrade was quick and yet transforms the device into a much more usable device, IMHO. Windows Mobile 6 isn't revolutionary, but it definitely has a load of usability improvements and I recommend every Dash owner upgrade their device.


 Image Gallery: These screenshots show Windows Mobile 6 on the T-Mobile Dash that you can download for free.  
Image Gallery: Dash WM 6 Home screen
 
Image Gallery: Voice Command 1.6
 

The improvements in Windows Mobile 6 on the T-Mobile Dash include Office Mobile (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Mobile), updated web browser and home page, music player and e-mail setup Home screen plug-ins, Voice Command 1.6, Windows Live services, Java client, and more. To use Voice Command 1.6 using the default assigned Record button, simply press and hold the Home button to the left of your directional pad. The Java client allows you to download and install the Gmail application for a much better search experience. Windows Mobile 6 includes support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 too that gives you much richer experience from your device.

The biggest usability improvement that I noticed immediately was the new soft key in the Messaging application that I think will have most people accidentally sending lots of replies. You see the new left soft key is Delete and using the Menu key where Delete used to be replies to the message. I like having the Delete key assigned as a soft key since I manage e-mail right on my device.

The T-Mobile Dash with Windows Mobile 6 will also be available from T-Mobile retail stores and online at www.t-mobile.com beginning in June. If you have a Windows Vista computer, I recommend you check out Paul O'Brien's post at MoDaCo on how to perform updates on a Vista PC. Get the update, follow the directions, and enjoy the free improvements that T-Mobile gives you.

Editorial standards