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Topic: Software

Is Microsoft (slowly) picking up the pace with Windows Mobile?

Summary: As Apple, Google and just about every other mobile-operating-system provider continues to leapfrog Microsoft in the mobile market, there's a glimmer of hope among the dwindling Windows Mobile faithful that Microsoft is picking up the mobile operating-system delivery pace.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

As Apple, Google and just about every other mobile-operating-system provider continues to leapfrog Microsoft in the mobile market, there's a glimmer of hope among the dwindling Windows Mobile faithful that Microsoft is picking up the mobile operating-system delivery pace.

A few blogs noted this week that Microsoft has created developer documentation for Windows Mobile 6.5.3 -- a minor release of the WinMo platform that adds support for "touchable tiles" instead of soft keys. (According to an entry on Wikipedia, the 6.5.3 update also might add more gesture support, a revamped address book and new start menu placement.)

There have been sightings of Windows Mobile 6.5.1 and 6.5.3 builds since Microsoft and its phone partners began rolling out the first WinMo 6.5 phones in October, but the Softies have been unwilling to comment officially on these builds. There also has been talk that Microsoft is planning to deliver a version of Windows Mobile prior to 7.0 that would add full support for capacitive screen phones, but, again, no company officials have confirmed this publicly. (The Neowin.net site has said this release might be called 6.7, based on their sources, but I'm now wondering if this release is 6.5.3.)

Microsoft's plodding Windows Mobile release schedule has left the company open to criticism that it has fallen behind other mobile operating system providers. Here's a recap of what the Redmondians recently have rolled out and have coming in the phone space:

  • Windows Mobile 5.0 RTM (release to manufacturing): May 2005
  • Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition RTM: May 2006
  • Windows Mobile 6.0 RTM: February 2007
  • Windows Mobile 6.1 RTM April 2008
  • Windows Mobile 6.5 RTM: May 2009
  • Windows Mobile 6.5.3 (and/or 6.7): RTM Q1 2010 (?)
  • Windows Mobile 7.0 RTM: Q2 2010 (?)

What has further hampered Microsoft in the mobile market is the six-or-so-month lag time between the RTM of a new Windows Mobile release and the time it takes for phone makers to test, customize and load it on new phones. Microsoft officials have said they're committed to reducing this gap and enabling Window Mobile to be pushed to phone customers over the air (OTA), but it sounds like that capability won't debut until Windows Mobile 7.0, at the earliest.

Microsoft officials have said they'll be showing off Windows Mobile 7.0 to developers at its Mix conference in mid-March. (They allegedly showed off the platform at the invitation-only Mobius conference -- under non-disclosure -- in November.)

Will Microsoft provide some sneak, or even public, peeks of 7 to others at the Consumer Electronics Show in January? No word so far. But it might not be a bad idea, given more and more company watchers are equating Windows Mobile 7.0 to the infamous Windows "Cairo" release, which was much touted over many years but never actually materialized (except in piece parts)....

A related aside: A couple of readers have sent me notes about the fact that the Visual Studio 2010 beta currently doesn't support Windows Mobile development, wondering what this means about MIcrosoft's commitment to the mobile platform. Earlier this year, Microsoft officials provided the following statement about this:

"Microsoft is committed to making Visual Studio a great development tool for the mobile device developer, and will deliver mobile device tools for Visual Studio 2010, but cannot share details now. For existing Visual Studio 2008 mobile developers, Microsoft released the Windows Mobile 6.5 Developer Tool Kit that works with the Windows Mobile 6 SDK."

I asked recently if it's time yet to share the details about these "mobile device tools" coming for Visual Studio 2010 and was told officials had nothing more to say at this time.

Topics: Software, Hardware, Microsoft, Mobile OS, Mobility, Operating Systems, Wi-Fi, Windows

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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  • It works for Apple

    why is it that everyone says that Google, MS, ect should give us details about what they're doing, yet just say "Oh well, Apple is just keeping their ususal tight lips" when rumors of an new Apple product start circulating?
    John Zern
    Reply Vote

    • zdnet has a strong Apple contingent

      Apple has one huge advantage. It has the preferred product for the majority of journalists. It's hard for even real journalists to not go easy on the machine they make their living on.
      Even though there are only bloggers on zdnet, and not true journalists I think Macs may have the edge and most likely so among management and editorial people here.
      It's always been this way, MS has to hit a grand salami to get a blog that is even somewhat positive and without the ever present huge "buts" or the bloggers idea of "reality" mixed in to deliver some stinging criticism for good measure.
      But, my opinion is that zdnet doesn't have a very far reach outside of the already decided camps, so it's all really moot.
      xuniL_z
      Reply Vote

    • Where's the Beef? Promises promises

      Microsoft was promising "Silverlight for Mobile" 2 years ago. It's the old Microsoft playbook. Don't buy the other guys new, innovative stuff, ours is better and will be released "real soon". I blame myself for believing. I've decided to get a MacBook Pro and start developing for the IPhone. Who knows maybe I'll never return. I've been developing with Microsoft products for a dozen years and every idea they have seems half-baked and poorly executed. I've had it. Windows Mobile needed a response to the IPhone two years ago.
      davekersnowski@...
      Reply Vote

  • Already liking 6.5.3

    I've been using 6.5.3 for the past month and a half. I can confirm the new start menu placement, but that's about it.

    The only problem with Microsoft's tardy windows mobile release schedule is that device manufactures got tired of waiting and developed their own UI. (i.e. HTC TouchFLow, Samsung's Omnia widgets) While I prefer the WinMo 6.5.3 to either of the overlays, we're still going to see other UI types on WinMo.
    MSFT_Tinkering
    Reply Vote

    • 6.5.3 Changes

      The whole OS is more finger friendly
      tabs have been replaced with gesturable screen tiles

      Outlook Mobile has gotten a ton better

      It's way faster than anything else that I have run on my HTC Tilt (400Mhz QVGA).
      JoeMama_z
      Reply Vote

  • Nope, windoze mobile is the first to be abandoned

    after that, other M$ products will follow with windoze and Office to be the last stand.
    Linux Geek
    Reply Vote

    • Can you supply me some of the stuff you are smoking

      That stuff must be strong for your statements - you are living in a fantasy land. None of the things you mentioned will be abandoned. First off Windows 7 is a major HIT and so far Office 2010 is as well. I bet Microsoft will pull something out of their hat for WM 7.
      Djblois
      Reply Vote

      • MS Downfall Predictions

        I have been hearing for 15+ years or more. The thing about Linux Geek is that he/she will be around 30 years later when Linux reaches a 4% Market Share predicting the end of Microsoft.

        Windows 7 is a hit and running the beta of Office 2010 is looking very nice (and fast) Both products appear that MS took their customers feedback and opinions to heart and made some noticeable improvements. I am hoping the apply the same practice to Windows Mobile. Microsoft may not be for everybody which is good that there is a choice and you do not have to use if you do not want to but they do make very good products.
        bobiroc
        Reply Vote

        • Office 2010 and WinMo

          Just an aside, I am using Office 2010 x64 and a new LG eXpo WinMo phone. I tried to connect the phone to sync with Outlook for the first time and OneNote. It was a no go. While Office 2010 is still in beta, it won't sync with the phone. The good news is that my tablet PC with Office 2007 syncs perfectly. It is just one of those things dealing with beta software.
          MadWhiteHatter
          Reply Vote

          • I haven't tried that

            since i use Active Sync from my exchange server. I suspect an update to ActiveSync will be out or may already be out to remedy that. Maybe there is some help on the Microsoft Forums regarding that. I haven't looked.
            bobiroc
            Reply Vote

      • How can WIN 7 not be a hit...

        If you buy a new PC you get win7, unless you buy a Apple. All those folks who avoided Vista are now now in need of a computer(Hardware failures, no XP driver support for newer hardware).
        mrlinux
        Reply Vote

        • Typical

          You seem to neglect the fact that people actually want to use and prefer Windows. And on top of it you make crap up like the lack of driver support. Aside from maybe a few devices there are drivers for virtually every piece of hardware for XP still. I also know many people that have purchased Windows 7 as an upgrade because either they have a newer model computer bought in the XP era or a computer bought in the Vista era that may or may not have been downgraded to XP. So if you are trying to imply that people are being "forced" to buy Windows then you are failing because there is a choice and most time people CHOOSE Windows. You want to know why? Because it runs all of their software, works with all of their hardware, and offers the features and support people want
          bobiroc
          Reply Vote

          • Windows machines are less expensive

            I think people buy Windows machines because of the premium pricing of Apple computers. If Apple dropped pricing, I think it would give Microsoft executives a serious heart attack. They're lucky Apple is too busy printing money.

            And intel based Apple machines can run Windows, so you can run both OS's.

            Signed
            A Windows Developer whose next laptop will be a Mac
            davekersnowski@...
            Reply Vote

      • I'll take that bet

        [i]"I bet Microsoft will pull something out of their hat for WM 7."[/i]

        Windows Mobile will become more of a joke than Zune. Even if MS
        manages to turn out a decent product (and I've heard smart people say
        good things about the last release of Zune), only 14 people will ever hear
        about it. By the time WinMo7 gets out we'll be on a 4th generation of
        iPhone, Droids will be everywhere, and the Nexus One be the "iPhone
        alternative" WinMo will become the sad, "also-ran" that MS products
        have been becoming of late.

        Here's a bet for you; I bet Ballmer's gone before WinMo 7 ships.
        matthew_maurice
        Reply Vote

    • Thanks for the "dumb guy" levity you bring Linux Geek.

      Your predictions have been so blatantly wrong for so long it would be like one of the fox sports guys missing every pick on every game for a season, geting fired but still blogging on his picks for the next 20 years lacking all credibility and still being wrong every time.
      If and when the world changes to the point where MS no longer has a large market or is not an important player in IT, Linux Geek types will have long been gone from the earth.
      It's kind of hard to say I told you so from the grave there Linux Geek.
      But you should create, as part of your will, a sealed letter only to be opened if MS fades from the scene someday, which states you predicted it all along. That would be so fitting for you. LOL
      xuniL_z
      Reply Vote

  • True Source

    Kind of weird nobody picked up mwd story with valid answer.

    Just read about it with features:

    http://mwd.com/EgCR
    GoodSource
    Reply Vote

    • Xbox Live games and Win Mobile

      Yes, here's the original source (citing the MS job ad):

      http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2009/12/30/confirmation-xbox-live-coming-to-windows-mobile-lg-still-on-board/

      It seems this is another piece of the three screens and a cloud strategy (I guess). But still isn't really addressing their OS dev problems on the mobile side. MJ
      Mary Jo Foley
      Reply Vote

  • Is licensing phone OS's a viable business?

    Is there anybody successfully developing a phone OS
    without the phone, and licensing it to third parties?
    A cynic could be forgiven for thinking Microsoft is
    trying to apply the PC OS licensing business model
    everywhere else, without success.

    I'm asking because I don't know; is Google just making
    an OS or are they going to make/sell the handsets with
    it (Not that I'm predicting it will be a success)?

    To me it's starting to look like you have to sell the
    phone and the OS as one.
    HollywoodDog
    Reply Vote

    • Too late to give it away?

      Microsoft makes very little from WinMo
      licensing. At $15 a pop, I doubt it covers
      development costs. But they do make
      significantly more from "add on" business if
      you believe some of the analysts. So why
      don't they just give it away? It may be too
      late...

      Both Microsoft and Nokia need a modern
      mobile OS [u]now[/u], and cash-strapped
      Palm has it. Sounds like a good time to invest
      in Palm.
      rynning
      Reply Vote

  • interesting times ahead....

    iphone and android are fairly sure to be around for a while as they have a good lead in the smartphone market. No great surprises from these two over the next year other than good growth especially from android.

    palm OS is for the scrap pile. Predict palm will move to android / win mobile (or die!)

    Microsoft have the money, scale and technology (although win mobile 7 will need to be good) to keep win mobile alive if they want it???

    The really interesting one is Nokia. Hugh in the cell phone market - not doing so well in the smart phone market. What will they do? - stick with symbiam or jump ship to android.

    Blackberry is a strange one....not sure what will happen here.

    Ultimately the smart phone shake down will be driven by the availability of apps. If you don't get the development community on board you are stuffed though matter how good your OS is.
    RonanSail
    Reply Vote
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