Microsoft has been true to its word. Yes it has announced Windows Mobile 6.5. So in this post, we will be discussing  what are the improvements as well as the new features that Windows Mobile 6.5 brings.

Very briefly, Windows Mobile 6.5 brings new and interesting concepts to the GUI along with improvement over Windows Mobile 6.1. So here are the new features that Windows Mobile 6.5 brings

Windows Mobile 6.5 features

Today Screen

Windows Mobile 6.5 brings a touch based navigation system for Today’s screen. Still Today Screen lacks the speed dial feature that enables you to call your special contacts pretty quickly. Even though there is a contact link at the bottom of the Today Screen but it is just not the same.

WM 65 Today Screen

Start Screen

This is my favorite. Start Menu screen has been revamped totally and it looks cool to say the least. Gone are the days for a drop down based start menu. Start Screen now supports touch screen and is filled with icons. The good thing about these icons is that they can be customized through themes and backgrounds.

You might remember that drop down based Start screen in Windows Mobile 6.1 was limited in size but that is not a limitation anymore since the new Start Screen supports the much awaited scrolling feature enabling you to install as much as apps as you want without having to worry to access them via the Start Screen.Icons have a better appeal, look and feel

WM 65 Start Menu

Designer Themes

Windows Mobile 6.5 comes installed with a number of cool themes designed by world class designers. You can always go to the Windows Marketplace to get even more themes

Internet Explorer Mobile 6

Windows Mobile 6.5 brings Internet Explorer Mobile 6 whose design is similar to that of Opera. Also Adobe Flash Lite has been brought to Windows Mobile 6.5 with the vision of accessing flash based content. AJAX support has been included as well.

Social Networking

Microsoft would have have been foolish if they did not include social network features into their Mobile OS. Windows Mobile 6.5 comes equipped with Facebook and MySpace App. Also it includes other apps

WM6.5Pure Apps

News and Entertainment

Windows Mobile 6.5 also has a few applications that intend to fulfill the entertainment and news need for its users.Windows Mobile 6.5 includes a YouTube application as well as NewsBreak Lite, a RSS feed reader.

Enhanced Messaging capabilities

  • Windows Mobile 6.5 messaging capabilites have been given a boost with the introduction of these features
  • Conversation View, which keeps e-mail sorted in one simple to read thread
  • Unified Messaging, which allows you to easily listen to your Exchange-delivered voice mails and read the transcribed text
  • Nickname Cache that allows you to quickly address new emails with access to a suggestion list of previously used addresses
  • Reply State shows you with emails have been forwarded or replied to
  • Free and Busy Lookup shows you the status of contacts
  • SMS Sync which allows you to send/receive SMS messages from Outlook and Outlook Web Access.