Windows Mobile 6.5 only coming in Q4 2009, Marketplace coming to WM 6.1
Scott Rockfeld has given an interview to the Boston Herald where he discussed the recently unveiled Windows Mobile 6.5.
Of note in the article is the news that Windows Mobile 6.5 will be coming quite late in the year, as the article says “expected in the fourth quarter”
According to Rockfeld, what was shown off it isn’t even “beta” yet.
Fortunately for current Windows Mobile users, some of the features we have been waiting for will be coming to the current Windows Mobile OS well before then. Both the My Phone service, which is already in beta on existing handhelds, and the Windows Mobile Marketplace, will be accessible on Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1.
Regarding My Phone, Rockfeld suggested that while the service may be free at the 200 MB mark, a paid for service may allow higher online storage.
There is a point, “like backing up 8 gigabytes of music, where we may need do some tiering” with prices.
Rockfeld described how the change in the market from business-centric smartphone users to consumer-centric use came as a bit of a surprise.
“We’re doing a lot of things — some people would say catch-up — that appeal to the person who also wants to do some work with their phone,” Rockfeld said. “We are at a big inflection point in the market right now.”
“We understand the changes in the market,” Rockfeld said. “When it switched from business-only to consumer and business, that happened pretty quickly.”
While there is a huge demand for a more attractive and finger-friendly Windows Mobile Operating system, it is of note than the OS grew market share between 2007 and 2008, from 11 percent in 2007 to 12.3 percent in 2008, according to research firm IDC.
Read the full article at the BostonHerald.com.
Thanks wreiad for the tip.
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Posted in news, software | 
Tags: marketplace, software, windows mobile, windows mobile 6.1, windows mobile 6.5
Damn that’s a while… I also read Paul Thurriot’s site. He said version 7 devices are arriving 2011:
http://www.winsupersite.com/mobile/windows_phones_2009.asp
But Mary Jo-Foley says they’re coming next year:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1908
So does Motorola:
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/02/03/motorola-windows-mobile-7-coming-in-2010
And a roadmap:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mFxJhJmMWXQ/SWefSQbOBBI/AAAAAAAAADk/IwNFHT3mEdI/s800/roadmap.PNG
What the hell is Paul talking about?
[Reply]
John Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 am
The fact that WM7 devices wont arrive until 2011 makes me want to cry. Microsoft needs to flip off the carriers, because thats where the hold up is in updating. They need to rework the system to be updated over the air without the carriers ‘customizing’ them with their shit. THATS what takes them 6 months to get 6.1 and now 6.5 on a phone. When the software ’ships’ it should be pushed to all devices or available as a download in the future mobile marketplace. They need to tell the carriers how its going to be..
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wreiad Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 am
What “fact”? It’s most likely opinion. Everyone else says next year.
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drphysx Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
‘Next year’ is already 3 years too late!
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wreiad Reply:
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
3 years too late? What’s with you people?
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i dont know but…no more winmo for me until at least 2010!
cause by then verizon will have LTE out, winmo 6.5 will definitely be out!
and HOPEFULLY, a capacitive screen version of winmo 6.5 with a 5mp or greater flash with the omnia form factor is out also
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wreiad Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Why are you so obsessed with the Omnia??
[Reply]
Omnia is one of the best WM handsets at the moment! Hopefully Samsung will bring out an update/upgrade to Omnia that was as groundbreaking as the current omnia. As for WM 6.5, I find Microsofts attitude and effort disappointing. It seems no matter what microsoft say and do they will always remain behind the competition.
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william Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
no u are VERY VERY wrong….
the T*Omnia is the best WM handset
i want one
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This is why I am going to buy an iphone and give up my tilt.I tired of waiting for microsoft to catch up and from what i’ve read I might not be able to upgrade my Rom from 6.1 to 6.5 any way which really sucks.
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mweb586 Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I thought the Tilt was a terrible phone. Do yourself a favor and grab an unlocked Touch Diamond or a Fuze. You’ll be happy you did.
[Reply]
well..you know what i would say to get!
the omnia rocks!
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mweb586 Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Or that too….
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I guess Rockfield is too “young” the remember when it went from International Business Machines’ Personal Computer to PC gaming?
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that an ms employee would seek some measure of shelter citing a 1% increase in smartphone share shows how ms thinks. they are awake to the problem now, but for too long ms was asleep. that they were surprized by the shift from biz to prosumer markets is anthother example. how could you be surprized if you’re doing your regular market research?
the exec-set crew at ms working on winmo from 2005 to 2007 should all be fired. they dropped the ball big time.
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So it has been confirmed that the marketplace will be available to WM 6.1? I’m seriously considering buying an Omnia with Verizon, but couldn’t find that information on ms site. In fact, when people asked the question they seemed to dodge answering it. But it will be available to 6.1, right? Thanks!
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admin Reply:
March 13th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
It wont be confirmed until it happens, and its of note that as far as we know MarketPlace will only come in Autumn, around the same time as WM 6.5 is coming too.
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