Windows Mobile 5.0 for 2005
In the fall of
2005, Microsoft will release its latest version of the mobile device
operating system, Windows Mobile 5.0. While features have improved
across the board, one significant advancement will be the inclusion of
ActiveSync 4.0. Bluetooth performance has also been improved: for
example it will be possible to use ActiveSync over Bluetooth with more
than one PC.
Some mobile
versions of Office applications also received updates for Windows Mobile
5 including a host of new features as well as new names. Rather than
their former “Pocket” designation, the new applications will be called
Excel Mobile, Word Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile Viewer. The new OS will
also feature improved one-handed navigation, including the use of
“soft-buttons” similar to those already present on current Microsoft
Smartphones, rendering the use of a stylus a choice rather than
necessity.
In addition to
better WiFi support for Smartphones, and support for push-to-talk and
video calling, Windows Mobile 5 will seek to blur the lines that
separate the various Microsoft mobile OS offerings such as Microsoft
Smartphone, Windows Mobile Pocket PC, and Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone
Edition. The new convergent operating system will debut among a host of
convergent devices as Pocket PC’s with phone capabilities and even GPS
functionality become available in devices like the HP hw6700 Mobile
Messenger, the T-Mobile MDA IV.
In terms of
development, signing of applications to access privileged APIs
or to run programs will still be a feature of Windows Mobile 5. For
example, Windows Mobile 5 will include a new camera API that will make
it easier for developers to write applications that use a device’s
built-in camera. Cellular network operators will make the final
determination as to what level of locking they will use in Windows
Mobile 5.
However, despite
all the added features and development tools, the greatest advancement
for Windows Mobile 5 will be something that has been lacking in the core
product since it began. The addition of persistent memory storage will
change the face of Windows Mobile computing by making it more
user-friendly and stable. Current Pocket PCs generally contain more
Flash 
ROM
than RAM, the latter being used as storage for database and registry
entries. ROM is
slower than RAM but it is also permanent
storage. If a mobile device loses power, the applications and data in
Flash ROM are still safe, but everything stored in RAM is wiped out.
In
Windows Mobile 5 just like with desktop computers, RAM will be used
exclusively for
executing programs and storage will be
allocated only to the Flash ROM. Thus a device with 128 MB of Flash ROM
and
only 64 MB of RAM will have ample storage and abundant execution space.
The greatest advantage of this change is that Pocket PCs will now have
an “off" mode where zero power is used. While things like alarms will
not work, the user can leave a Pocket PC in a desk drawer for a month
and it will still have power when you try to turn it on again.
Some devices will receive software upgrades to WM5, check with your
manufacturer to find out.
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