Windows Mobile 6.5 Smartphones Arriving this Fall

Customers who have been looking forward to an upgrade on Windows Mobile will soon be satisfied: Microsoft has announced that handsets running the new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system will be available worldwide starting on October 6 this year.

According to Microsoft, the updated Windows Mobile 6.5 "will deliver new customer experiences through an improved, easy-to-use user interface, better browsing capabilities and access to valuable services". The company hopes that the upgrade will lure more consumers and improve the competitive edge of its operating system in the face of rivals, such as iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre and Android handsets.

In addition to the existing integration of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Exchange server, the new system will offer new features to surpass its current Windows Mobile 6.1 system, which can be found on the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the Samsung Blackjack II. It will bring an enhanced version of Internet Explorer that comes equipped with a new engine and Adobe Flash Lite for improved multimedia web applications. Besides, there will be a new touch-friendly user interface that allows users to customize the phone with themes, personal backgrounds and widgets.

To match with Apple’s popular App Store, Microsoft will release the Windows Marketplace app store as well. Although the company declined to reveal how many programs have been submitted so far, access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Zagat are guaranteed.

Another highly expected feature is a free service called My Phone, which not only can let you synchronize contacts, calendar, text messages, photos and other data to the Internet, but also help you find the location of your lost phone. Users can send a message to the phone to make it ring even it is set to vibrate, and even remotely wipe all data in the phone.

Microsoft said the coming Windows phones will be manufactured by Samsung, LG, HTC, HP and Toshiba, and available through carriers like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint in North America. AT&T said it will offer Windows Mobile 6.5 phone users using data plans access to its network of Wi-Fi hot spots without additional charge.

Will Microsoft be able to catch up with its competitors and regain its lost territory in the cell phone market with the flagship operating system? We will have to wait until this fall to find out.

Tags: HTC Touch Pro2 Accessories, Samsung BlackJack II / SGH-i617 Accessories, iPhone Accessories, BlackBerry Accessories, Palm Pre Accessories, AT&T Cell Phone Accessories, Verizon Wireless Accessories