Windows Mobile 6.5

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Windows Mobile 6.5
A version of the Windows Mobile operating system
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Developer Microsoft
OS family Microsoft Windows
Working state No longer supported
Source model Closed-source
Released to
manufacturing		 May 11, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-05-11)
Preceded by Windows Mobile 6.1
Succeeded by Windows Phone 7
Official website {{#property:P856}}
Support status
Unsupported as of January 8, 2013.[1]

Windows Mobile 6.5 was a stopgap update to Windows Mobile 6.1 intended to bridge the gap between version 6.1, that arrived in 2010, and the then yet-to-be released Windows Phone 7.

It was never part of Microsoft's original mobile phone roadmap, and has been described by its former chief executive Steve Ballmer as "not the full release [Microsoft] wanted" (which later became Windows Phone 7).[2] Ballmer also indicated that the company "screwed up with Windows Mobile", lamenting that Windows Mobile 7 was not yet available and that the Windows Mobile team needed to try to recoup losses.[3] Microsoft unveiled this version at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in February,[4] and several devices were supplied with it.[5] It was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009; the first devices running the operating system appeared in late October 2009.[6] Several phones that officially shipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 can be officially updated to Windows Mobile 6.5.[7] This update includes some significant new added features, such as a revamped GUI, a new Today screen resembling that of Microsoft's Zune player with vertically scrollable labels (called 'Titanium').[8] WM6.5 also included the Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, with improved interface.[9]

Along with Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announced several cloud computing services codenamed "SkyBox", "SkyLine", "SkyMarket".[10] "SkyBox" has been confirmed as My Phone,[11] while "SkyMarket" has been confirmed as Windows Marketplace for Mobile.[12] This version was designed mainly for easier finger usage.[13] Some reviewers have noted interface inconsistencies, with some applications having small buttons making them harder to operate using only a finger.[14] Whilst this version of Windows Mobile does not natively support capacitive screens, mobile manufacturers have been able to use them on their devices.[15]

In the months following this release, development shifted from Windows Mobile to its successor Windows Phone. As such no major upgrades were planned or released, although three minor updates; 6.5.1, 6.5.3 and 6.5.5; were made to satisfy consumers during the transition period. 6.5.1 brings larger user interface elements,[16] including icon based soft buttons (rather than text based),[17] an updated contacts app,[18] native support for A-GPS,[16] improved threaded text messaging,[19] and performance improvements.[20] It was unofficially ported to several Windows Mobile phones.[21]

The second minor update was announced on February 2, 2010, along with the Sony Ericsson Aspen which was the first phone to use this version.[22] 6.5.3 continues the trend of attempting to provide a more finger-friendly user interface with several new usability features such as native support for multitouch; although device maker HTC Corporation created proprietary work-arounds to allow multi-touch to work on some applications it installed on its HD2 handset (However, Microsoft applications on this handset, such as the Internet Explorer web browser, did not support multi-touch.[23]) and drag-and-drop start menu icons. Touchable tiles replaced soft keys."[24] Internet Explorer Mobile 6 also received some major updates including decreased page load time, improved memory management and gesture smoothing.[25] As with other updates it was unofficially ported to some other devices. Additional features include threaded email and Office Mobile 2010.[26]

The last minor update and the last released version is 6.5.5. It first leaked in January 2010, and was unofficially ported to some Windows Mobile phones.[27] The name Windows Mobile 6.5.5 has been applied to these newer builds, although this name remains unconfirmed by Microsoft.

References

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  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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