Microsoft has officially announced that the next skin point release for their handheld operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5, will launch on Oct. 6 and include App Store Windows Marketplace for Mobile (catchy!) and MobileMe MyPhone services. WMExperts asks the impertinent question:
Will Windows Mobile 6.5 be available for any phones on that date? Will we see new phones released with WinMo 6.5?
We shrug in sympathy. Typically it takes a while to go from release to manufacturers to release to consumers. What benefits the split platform strategy has in consumer choice, it lacks in speed to consumer market.
When it does arrive, WinMo 6.5 will support both physical and virtual keyboards, no-touch and touch screens (resistive only?!), GPS, accelerometer, high res cameras, and likely spinning, multihued beechball wheels of wait (our Macs sympathize).
That the same company can ship the Zune HD before Windows Mobile 6.5, however, still puzzles us. That they're arguably shipping both years too late to be competitive... well, that just frustrates us no end.
Throw a couple billion at Windows Mobile 7, would you please, and get her out asap?
