UPDATE: Windows Mobile 6.5 smartens up for debut

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 16 Feb 2009 at 12:05

Microsoft has launched Windows Mobile 6.5 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Microsoft's current offering, Mobile 6.1, has suffered at the hands of the iPhone and Android-based phones and the company will be hoping to claw back customer interest with its latest crack at the mobile operating system market.

The biggest visible change in 6.5 is the introduction of a honeycomb menu which can be scrolled up and down to reveal new apps. The interface has clearly been designed with touchscreens in mind and features larger finger-friendly icons, surrounded by plenty of empty space to avoid accidental button pushes.

Windows Mobile 6.5 will also come bundled with Microsoft's Marketplace apps store, which will offer users access to 20,000 Windows Mobile applications at launch, according to the company.

Marketplace sees the company playing catch up with Apple, BlackBerry and, as of this morning, Nokia.

The operating system will feature MyPhone support, which allows users to automatically back up their contacts, photos and documents to a password-protected website so they can be easily transferred to a new handset in case your phone is lost or stolen.

MyPhone is free for users storing up to 200MB of information. Those looking for more space will be charged depending on how much they need.

Windows Mobile 6.5 will also feature the latest version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which brings new touch controls for zoom, as well larger back and forward buttons and a touchscreen keyboard. More interestingly, there's also full Flash support, which should help differentiate it from Apple's Flashless alternative.

Microsoft has confirmed that the first smartphones bearing the new Windows Mobile will arrive in the second half of 2009, though no specific date has been given.

Among the first models, we can expect HTC to release Mobile 6.5-versions of its recently announced Touch Diamond 2, and Touch Pro 2.