That’s right, Windows Mobile is getting re-branded. Get use to the name, as arbitrary as it sounds. It took me a while to realize that WP7S meant Windows Mobile 7… oh well, that’s just one more acronym to store my database (brain).

But really, Microsoft is making a bold move by rebranding Windows Mobile 7 to Windows Phone 7 Series. Here’s the truth behind why they did it. Some will say that it’s because they just want a fresh look to compete with the iPhone and Android. While that is partly to blame for the change of name, it’s not the only thing. The truth is that Windows Mobile is garbage. And don’t take my critique for anything negative against Microsoft as a company; but Windows Mobile, the entire series, was crap. Microsoft was simply one of the first players in the smartphone and pocket pc market, so that’s how they got so big.

Windows Phone 7 Series should surprise us. Personally, as a consumer, I hope to throw my WM6 phone out my car while driving 90mph on the freeway when Windows Phone 7 is released.

Microsoft knows how important it is to retain their mobile market share in an increasingly mobile world. Read more about the new Windows Phone at Microsoft’s site or any Windows Phone 7 blog.

SPB is one of the leading Windows Mobile software developers in the world. They make some of the most demanded software utilities for WM6. Like SPB Mobile Shell 3.0, which is so useful that major phone carriers like Sony Ericsson, Toshiba, O2, Glofiish, and Pharos ship their devices natively with SPB’s software preinstalled.

Long story short, SPB wants your feedback on their software, and they are giving prizes away just for participating.

Take the survey before 4th of December 2009, to get into the drawing for the following prizes:
Grand prize — a mobile device of winner’s choice + $100 worth of SPB Software.
Prize #1 — $100 worth of smartphone accessories of winner’s choice from Smartphone Experts + a $100 worth of our software.
Prize #2 — $100 worth of SPB’s soft.

Results and list of winners of SPB Survey 2009 will be available at www.spbsoftware.com by December 17th, 2009.

Microsoft released a new upgrade for their Marketplace for Mobile application. In short, not much changed. Nothing you can tell, I should say. There were some heavy bug fixes that were more prominent in certain devices over others. Either way, it’s a good idea to install this update, regardless of your Windows Mobile 6 version (6.0, 6.1, 6.5).

Upgrade to v1.1.1109

Not a whole lot was changed in the Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.5 upgrade. That’s why it was only a 0.5 upgrade. Microsoft has some work to do, but I have a strong feeling that they know this.

The overall user interface is slightly different from 6.1. It almost looks like they smashed the Zune UI and Windows Mobile 6.1 UI together.

SMS Messaging and e-mail were left pretty much untouched.

A new lock screen allows you to view missed calls and text messages with a simple swipe of your locked device. A small improvement over 6.1.

Lastly, the most obvious change is the “honeycomb” redesign of the start menu. In order to make their OS more touch friendly, they created a honeycomb style display. The idea behind this is to make it more touch friendly. Users won’t be accidentally opening programs as much since the icons are farther away from each other.

Hot off the press is the HTC Touch Pro 2 update to Windows Mobile 6.5. HTC published an official 6.5 ROM for the HTC Snap.

Once again the update is a ROM update that will clear all data on your device and replace the current Operating System with the new one.

Download 6.5 update

After a long wait it’s finally available from the support section of the Toshiba site:

http://www.toshiba-europe.com/mobile/

Everybody knows that Microsoft has a limp-walk in the race for the mobile market share. So what exactly was done to Windows Mobile 6.5 that is different from 6.1? Well, it’s important to first point out that this is no Windows Mobile 7. In fact, if I’m going to be honest with myself, 6.5 was somewhat of a let down. Think of the upgrade from 6.1 to 6.5 as minor cosmetic surgery.

Internet Explorer: First and most importantly (to me), is the revamping of Internet Explorer Mobile. Microsoft was dragging tail with their mobile internet browser. The Windows Mobile team made it a big focus for 6.5, adding a new, prettier User Interface, zoom slider, new JavaScript language library, and better support for full HTML. This is HUGE! I still use Skyfire for some websites that can’t handle IEmobile.

New Today Screen: Yes that’s correct. 6.5 introduces a completely fresh Today Screen style. Almost like the Zune if you have seen one.

Windows Mobile Marketplace: Well this isn’t news, necessarily. Microsoft definitely hyped up their mobile marketplace center, being the corporate giants that they are. I still haven’t had much experience with the marketplace. All I know, is that the apps are overpriced right now. Additionally, they charge $100 for their developers to submit THEIR OWN APPLICATIONS! So, just to make this clear to the developers out there, Microsoft is making you pay them in order to sell your software. Again, not news to anybody really, but let it be known :).

More Finger Friendly: Who’s idea was it to make the incredibly small buttons for touch screen phones? I’m the kind of guy who loses his stylus like clockwork. I use my fat fingers to point and click… which, if you have Windows Mobile 6.1 or earlier, isn’t the best combination. Windows Mobile 6.5 introduces new “touch screen” technology. Scrolling, zooming, etc. are all smoothed over in 6.5.

“Honeycomb” Start Screen: A themed list of cool looking images for your default applications. The Start menu is gone, too – pressing the Windows icon in the upper left of the screen now leads straight to the new Start screen.

Although the specific release date varies according to device, we should see 6.5 by next month.

.NET Compact Framework is a language library used by your Windows Mobile 6 phone. Some Windows Mobile applications will require you to have this, so it’s best to upgrade now. All you do is visit Microsoft’s download page, connect your WinMo phone to your computer, then download and run the file.

WM6Software.net is excited to announce our new Developer section, created just for developers like you. Gain NEW business by selling YOUR software on one of the largest Windows Mobile websites on the planet. We have made it incredibly easy for you distribute your Windows Mobile applications to the millions of visitors we receive every year.

WM6Software.net Developer Section FEATURES:

• Dedicated Staff - We have Technical and Relational staff in-house and on-call
• DCP (Developer Control Panel) – Once approved as a developer, submitting software is easy. Simply log in to your Developer Control Panel and fill out the custom fields. Upload your software and set your price, and you’re live.
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