Windows Mobile 6 Announced

Microsoft is planning to officially announce Windows Mobile 6, formerly code-named Crossbow, at the 3GSM trade show in Barcelona.

The new version of Windows Mobile features a revamp of the interface and a number of upgrades in common with Vista, such as improved search and security features and tighter integration with Windows Live services. It supports Windows Live instant messaging and e-mail

The improved search function means that users will now be able to type in the first few letters of the item they are searching for, and the phone will automatically display only matching results.

Security enhancements include the ability to not only protect data stored on the device, but to also encrypt information stored on a removable memory card. Enterprises will be able to set policies requiring the use of secure passwords which are required to be regularly changed.

Version 6 works with the same core - Windows CE 5 - as Windows Mobile 5, and should therefore work with Windows Mobile 5 applications.

The operating system is available in both touch screen and non-touch screen versions. Pocket PC Phone Edition, for touch screens, has been renamed Windows Mobile Professional, while Smartphone edition, for non touch screens, is now called Windows Mobile Standard. There is also a version for PDAs without phone capabilities called Windows Mobile Classic.

Windows Mobile 6 is expected to be available in Spring 2007.