New Windows Mobile 6.5 build finally fixes the OK button

August 6, 2009 | By Surur

Windows Mobile 6.5 remains a moving target – we think we know what it will look like, and when we turn around it something has changed again.

This latest set of screenshots from build 23022 show most significantly the OK button being moved from the top right corner to the more accessible bottom left. The soft-buttons are now also a much more inviting round shape, rather than the unfriendly rectangular bars of old.

See the thread here.

Via Pocketnow.com

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged windows mobile 6.5

Lennard

1st I like the new comment revamp.

2nd, I like that wm6.5 is changing for the better, I always wanted them to move the OK button, because it's all the way up there in the right hand corner doing what? usually I have to use 2 hands to hit that button. I'm glad it moved to the bottom now.

Doministry

Hmm. I like the X/OK button on top where ALL of the other task bar options are. It's logical.

Peter

They should align it with the keyboard button and keep the softkeys at the corners. It would look less awkward. Better yet, leave it where it was and make a physical OK (or back on HTCs, the same thing except in Opera and a couple other places) a requirement.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Lennard Lennard

I think they did a good job of moving it, because it has always been a pain up in the upper right hand corner.

iFloss

idk whats up with the site but when i clicked on this thread it looks like a mobile site.

Now to the thread.

I think thats good but that is aesthetically hideous. They should take the box from around the OK and they should just make the OK bigger so you can actually see it. They should also add in a minimize button like in the Windows.
The Soft Buttons should have been left how they had em originally i hate how they look in the new build. It looks like they’re trying to copy the pre and that is definetly no bueno. If they’re going to change the UI then they need to do a drastic change and add in a rounder interface overall. Like The Windows Button (start menu) etc etc. Look at the pre then start working to better that. OR! stray as far away from that as you can.
WebOS is soo good because it did its own thing it didnt just try to imitate apple.
Gobmonster

That is absolutely hideous. This is what happens when software tries to make up for missing hardware buttons.

Infact, this is yet another reason for microsoft to waste valuable screen landscape. As if the top and bottom bars arent standing out enough, now they want to make them bigger?
wreiad

It's doesn't look that bad imo. It's clearly an early build like the other ones before. I'm glad their finally adressing the button issue. While it has more space and can be closed with a finger in the current 6.5, it's still too small.

Ruben

Yea, it doesnt look bad. Look at this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42…

First, it needs to be on an 800×480 (or at least wide) screen because you end up losing way too much screen with a 4:3.

Second, I think the top bar needs to slowly disappear, or at least be made smaller. It should house only notifications and the window title, with the start menu removed from on screen controls and only accessible through the hard windows button or from the home screen with a center mounted start button.

I like the idea of the buttons on the bottom of the screen. Instead of a required 2 menu items and the center keyboard selection, they can store more selectable buttons on the bottom, removing any other navigation items from the interface entirely. This can improve the use of screen space a lot more.

iFloss

Well then again my t-mobile wing fell and got wet. My hardware keys didnt work even though EVERY other key in the phone except a couple of the keyboard keys didnt work.

Imagine how much that would suck not having the option to reach the start menu by pressing the top left.

I think that they should keep the windows key and make it a bit sexier. Maybe even steal the windows graphic from the windows button in vista and windows seven. It doesnt NEED to say start it can just have a windows icon at the top right.

I just hope they get it right with windows 7 because XDA developers does a good enough job fixing their mistakes =_= sad to say windows especially since your developers are working in million dollar labs and if not with atleast the best equipment
wreiad

Thank you for the link. It's pretty nice, and brings some nice usability improvements.
Joni

Looks like A mess..
http://www.avianwaves.com Parrotlover77

That is ugly as sin. Not to mention that the beefed up size will, yet again, break a lot of existing apps. I'm all for something being down with OK/X as it is rather difficult to hit a button way up there, but my preferred option would be to go back to MORE HARDWARE BUTTONS unlike the direction HTC is going and require a hardware OK just as Microsoft is requiring a hardware Start Menu button.

I guess the good news for those who like the prettier GUI but not the new form factor is that I've found with all WM 6.5 builds that the it's only "skin deep." Meaning, if you switch to a pre-6.5 styled skin, you get all your buttons, menus, etc., back to the old style. So this is probably the same. I guess we'll find out. I hope it is. Microsoft would really be serving both groups well (those who want small icons for a larger app area and those who want big finger friendly buttons).
Guardian69

Well I have been using the new WM6.5 with the relocated Ok button and it might look a little odd but it works 1000 times better since you can use it with your fingers which is what they were going for a more finger friendly screen so you do not have to use your stylus so damn much. Did not like the look much at first myself but now that I have been using it for a little while I would have to say it was a good choice for the new location.

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