Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows Mobile 6.5
Version of the Windows Mobile operating system
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation
OS familyMicrosoft Windows
Working stateNo longer supported
Source modelClosed-source
Released to
manufacturing		May 11, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-05-11)
PlatformsARM
Kernel typeWindows CE
Preceded byWindows Mobile 6.1
Succeeded byWindows Phone 7
Support status
Unsupported as of January 8, 2013[1]

Windows Mobile 6.5 is a version of Windows Mobile. It was a stopgap update to Windows Mobile 6.1 intended to bridge the gap between version 6.1, that arrived in 2008, and Windows Phone 7 that was released in 2010.

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 an 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]

  1. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5". Microsoft Product Lifecycle. Microsoft Docs. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "Ballmer: Win Mobile 6.5 an unwanted stopgap". MacNN. March 5, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Ballmer: We 'screwed up with Windows Mobile'". Computerworld. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009.
  4. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5 walkthrough with Engadget (now with video!)". engadget.
  5. ^ "Browse and Buy Windows Phones".
  6. ^ "Windows Mobile: What's coming when - All about microsoft - ZDNet.com". Archived from the original on February 6, 2009.
  7. ^ "Updating your phone to Windows Mobile 6.5". Microsoft. March 4, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  8. ^ Slattery, Brennon (October 6, 2009). "Windows Mobile 6.5 Arrives, Mostly Disappoints". TechHive. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  9. ^ "IE 6 for Windows phones: Interface improved". c:net. Archived from the original on 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  10. ^ "Microsoft set to unveil MobileMe competitor next month". Neowin. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  11. ^ "Microsoft My Phone beta – Microsoft".
  12. ^ "Microsoft announces Windows Marketplace and My Phone for Windows Mobile". engadget.
  13. ^ "MWC: Your Definitive Windows Mobile 6.5 Post-Release Guide – Pocketnow". Pocketnow. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009.
  14. ^ "Windows Mobile 6.5 UI a big improvement; more work needed". Ars Technica. February 16, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  15. ^ "HTC HD2 Review on CNET UK". cnet uk. Archived from the original on November 11, 2009.