Windows Mobile 6.5.1 screenshots courtesy Patrick/OSNN.net
Most of you probably know by now that Windows Mobile 6.5 is not the be all end all Microsoft mobile operating system. However, what you might not know is that Microsoft has already up its sleeves another revision of Windows Mobile 6 – unofficially dubbed by the enthusiast community as 6.5.1 – that’s faster, sleeker, more touch-friendly and in my opinion, a much better upgrade than 6.5.
Those familiar with the Windows Phone modding scene might have seen since late August, builds numbered 23xxx and up started surfacing on the web. Those brave enough to have installed these builds began noticing a slew of updates to the user-experience of Windows Mobile that is arguably necessary but missing from WM6.5.
For example, the “Start button” and “Close” button have all been moved to the more accessible lower toolbar, freeing up the entire top row for status icons which is now thinner. Tapping on this row now expands a tray-like widget with large icons that provide quick access to system notifications and settings.
On the UI side, controls including buttons, checkboxes, radio buttons and the like have all been remastered, finally replacing the Windows 3.1-like graphics with modernized anti-aliased equivalents. Tabs have also been replace with a new “pivot” control that sits at the top of the screen where users can flick and toggle between.
Finally, even more recent builds include a new contacts application that is much more touch-friendly with larger buttons (albeit with a few bugs).
With all these changes and more already implemented and polished, I have to wonder why faced with inevitable criticism that WM6.5 is not enough of an improvement Microsoft didn’t hold off until all these changes were implemented for the official Windows Phone relaunch.
Until Windows Mobile 7, this is probably as good as it’s going to get on Windows Mobile 6. If you too are feeling a little adventurous, take a look over at XDA-developers forums to see if there’s a 6.5.1 ROM for your device already.
22 Comments
a2h
Some of the icons look quite plasticky (especially the ones on the bottom)…
@DChamp
It’s about time they moved things the way all other Windows O/S’s are!
Good review Long.
planetarian
I’ve been using these builds for some time now on my touch pro and refuse to install the older style builds now. The touch improvements are are so prevalent that i too wonder why MS didn’t just wait.
Inside the Webb
This looks like it’s gonna be sick, I can’t wait for Microsoft to release more information about it. I’ll upgrade my Tilt in a heartbeat once it’s released.
bluvg
Some of the icons do not illustrate their function well. I just tried a 6.5 device yesterday for the first time. It was a nice device (the screen resolution was incredible!) and the UI has definitely improved. It’s still felt somewhat unrefined (kind of stutters and acts wonky at times) and busy, though. Keep working at it, MS. I hope 7 gets us there.
Tom
Imagine they wanted something out of the door prior to Windows 7 release tomorrow, and also the opening of some Microsoft shops?
Michael Aulia
Nice! Heading off to Rhodium’s ROM area on xda-developers now
I’ve flashed mine with one of the custom ROM with Manilla 2.5 2 weeks ago
bonelyfish
Graphic != user interface
That was proved for a decade, especially by those crappy PS2 games boasted to have superior graphics. Given those pretty devices out there, it will only make them on par with the others. Its a shame to see them mess up something that have so much potential back in 2001. Can’t they realise that skin deep enhancement will not make it a great product?
Charlie
Hate to burst your bubbles, thats not 6.5.1, thats a custom ROM found on XDA. Microsofts 6.5.1 has no start button, and also does not have the nasty looking bottom menu. Do research before posting bullshit.
Michael Aulia
Ah.. I thought that’s the official 6.5.1 ROM that’s been cooked by the people at XDA. Can you confirm that, Charlie? How do you know that 6.5.1 will not look like that?
Long Zheng
@Charlie: Please do share what 6.5.1 really looks like then
Michael
Smackdown!
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/10/20/window s-mobile-6-5-1-on-the-way.aspx
“No real news here (they do quote Long Zheng, after all)”
Walt
All I want, is the return of the normal Start menu of 6.1. The Start “thing” of 6.5 is nothing more than a GUI for GUI sake. I mean, if I wanted an iPhone, I would own an iPhone.
Though I must admit, 6.5.1 moving the “Start” button itself down to the lower left corner is intriguing.
bas
@Wait: You can enable the old start menu (you mean like: date, appointments, mail) that has been around since wm 2002
if you really want.
Charlie
Looks OK….but whats with the crappy blobby misaligned bottom menu buttons….looks amateurish….they definately need looking at.
[deXter]
When will MS get their act straight? Titanium is actually a step backwards from the classic today screen. Atleast the old Today showed whatever info *you* want in just one screen. Titanium on the other hand, is difficult to navigate, shows only one item at a time, and offers very little in terms of utility. The whole idea is ridiculous. It’s lightyears behind other UIs like HTC Sense, SPB Mobile Shell 3.5, or even the good ol’ Manilla.
Of course, because I still have the choice of choosing my shell, I’m sticking to the WinMo platform. Until Android gets mature.
MSR
Try using it. On my Touch HD it is fast and excellent.
Everything (other than old apps) is quick and precise without a stylus.
It took MS a long time – but in my view, this is a real step forward in terms of usability.
[deXter]
@MSR:
I did. It is fast. But excellent? That’s pretty vague.
Now *you* try using SPB MS 3.5 or HTC Sense and see the difference for yourself.
rfarrah
@deXter:
You’re saying SPB MS is faster/better than 6.5.1?
I’m still at 6.1 using SPB MS 3.5, but considering flashing up to 6.5.1. Maybe it’s not worth it.
[deXter]
@rfarrah:
Most certainly. 6.5.1 isn’t worth it. It’s actually dumb in many aspects.
For example, in the device info tab, in 6.1 you could just jump to any tab you liked, but with 6.5.1 you’re forced to scroll through all of them. wtf? The same “need-to-scroll-thru” idea is repeated throughout the system – like the today screen. It’s so stupid, I don’t even know where to begin.
Plus, 6.5.1 is also a drain on the resources (RAM, CPU, and therefore, battery) so from that perspective, it doesn’t offer any unique features that are worth the juice. (Unless you’re really into finger-friendly
Heck, even Manila is better than this.
MSR
I actually use 6.5.1 with MS 3.5. It is a little redundant messy, but for my purposes, I have yet to find a homepage as functional as MS3.5 (Calendar, tasks, apps,. mail, status, etc).
I am not sure what ROM or phone you are using with 6.5.1, but the latest WM 6.5 builds with up to date oem natives and up to date drivers are faster than 6.1.
Most importantly, I can do everything that I want to do quickly and easily (a few presses and no real need for precision). The improvements in VM memory architecture allows your to store all of our modules in upper memory which has a significant impact on latency (not unloading, paging etc)
I am happy with it, but my primary uses may not be typical: Outlook, Phone Camera,, Office 2010, GPS/Maps, IE and games.
rfarrah
@MSR:
What phone and which ROM are you using, if you don’t mind my asking?
Leave a Reply
Windows Mobile 6.5.1? Does Hope Yet Live? | Mobility Site
[...] Zheng at I Started Something is reporting that new builds of WinMo 6.5 have begun to filter out of Redmond and into the modding [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 Announced
[...] IStartedSomething’s writer says… For example, the “Start button” and “Close” button have all been moved to the more accessible lower toolbar, freeing up the entire top row for status icons which is now thinner. Tapping on this row now expands a tray-like widget with large icons that provide quick access to system notifications and settings. [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 on the way
[...] Unofficial builds of Windows Mobile 6.5 have been leaking onto the web for the past few months, and blogger Long Zheng reports that among other [...]
O Windows Mobile 6.5.1 que deveria ter sido o 6.5 » WinAjuda
[...] istartedsomething. Print [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1: Must…Keep…Polishing [Windows Mobile] | Hirdyz Emporium
[...] though, to the WinMo fans who’ve stuck it out this long, it’d be a pittance. [ IStartedSomething via Download [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1: Must…Keep…Polishing [Windows Mobile] | Tech stuff center
[...] tomorrow, though, to the WinMo fans who’ve stuck it out this long, it’d be a pittance. [IStartedSomething via Download [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 likely features | ithinkdifferent
[...] There is no specific date as to when windows Mobile 6.5.1 will appear on the scene. Gut feeling is that it will be released soon . Windows Mobile 6.5.1 when released would bring the following updated features [...]
Inside the top secret Microsoft Apps Lab | ithinkdifferent
[...] Mobile 6.5 might not be the best mobile OS ever, it’s nice to see Microsoft pushing hard to get more and more developers on board for [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1: Must…Keep…Polishing | Gizmodo Australia
[...] tomorrow, though, to the WinMo fans who’ve stuck it out this long, it’d be a pittance. [IStartedSomething via Download Squad] Tagged:microsoftphonessmartphonessoftwarewindows mobilewindows mobile [...]
Microsoft, why not give us the Windows Mobile 6.5.1 like this at the beginning? » winandmac.com
[...] [via istartedsomething] [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5 still a work in progress, WM6.5.1 update brings more changes
[...] iSS] Share [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 upgrade just around the corner? : GadgetsBiz.com: Reports
[...] Windows Mobile (via Slashgear and I Started Something) [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 on the way | Technology you can trust here...
[...] builds of Windows Mobile 6.5 have been leaking onto the web for the past few months, and blogger Long Zheng reports that among other [...]
Does Anybody Need a Windows Mobile 6.5.1 Update? - Specs, reviews and prices.
[...] istartedsomething Related PostsSamsung Announces BlackJack Upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.0 Good news for everyone [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1 – lepszy od WM 6.5, gorszy od WM 7? | :: mobione :: multiblog o technologiach mobilnych
[...] Oto film przedstawiający Windows Mobile 6.5.1 (Build 230022): źródło: iStartedSomething [...]
Ballmer: Zune services coming to 'next release' of Windows Mobile | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
[...] blog note, that answer is still somewhat murky. Microsoft is strongly believed to be readying a 6.5.x or 6.7 release of Windows Mobile, which many are expecting the company to release on or around the Consumer Electronics Show in [...]
WinMo Wrap — HD2 Has Multitouch, WM to go Zune
[...] with the Zune to provide a more unified gadget line for Microsoft. An unconfirmed (by Microsoft) release 6.5.1 has been talked up around the web to address some shortcomings in the recently released WM6.5. Microsoft is not [...]
Windows Mobile 6.5.1, the 6.5 that should have been - Xperia X1 Forums
[...] [...]
Techno Information » Blog Archive » Is this Windows Mobile 6.5.1?
[...] Is this Windows Mobile 6.5.1? http://www.istartedsomething.com/20…ould-have-been/ [...]