Windows Mobile 1

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile 6.5.3 screenshot

Company / developer Microsoft

Programmed in C++

Working state Deprecated in favor of Windows Phone

Initial release April 19, 2000

Latest stable release 6.5.3 / February 2, 2010

Latest unstable release 6.5.5

Marketing target Mobile devices

Update method Adaptation kit upgrade

Kernel type Hybrid

Default user interface Graphical

License Proprietary software licensed to OEMs

Preceded by Windows CE and Pocket PC

Succeeded by Windows Phone

Windows Mobile is a family of mobile operating systems developed by Microsoft for smartphones and Pocket PCs.Windows Mobile is the predecessor of Windows Phone.In February 2010, Microsoft announced Windows Phone to supersede Windows Mobile. As a result, WindowsMobile has been deprecated. Windows Phone is incompatible with Windows Mobile devices and software. The lastversion of Windows Mobile, released after the announcement of Windows Phone, was 6.5.5.

FeaturesMost versions of Windows Mobile have a set of standard features, such as multitasking and the ability to navigate afile system similar to that of Windows 9x and Windows NT, with support for many of the same file types. Much likeits desktop counterpart, it comes bundled with a set of applications to perform basic tasks. Internet Explorer Mobileis the default web browser and Windows Media Player is the default media player used for playing digital media.Microsoft Office Mobile, the mobile versions of Microsoft Office, is the default office suite.Internet Connection Sharing, supported on compatible devices, allows the phone to share its Internet connection withcomputers via USB and Bluetooth. Windows Mobile support virtual private networking (VPN) over PPTP protocol.Most devices with mobile connectivity include a Radio Interface Layer (RIL). RIL provides the system interfacebetween the CellCore layer within the Windows Mobile OS and the radio protocol stack used by the wireless modemhardware. This allows OEMs to integrate a variety of modems into their equipment.The user interface has changed much between versions but the basic functionality has remained similar. TodayScreen, later called the Home Screen, shows the current date, owner information, upcoming appointments, e-mailmessages, and tasks. Taskbar shows the current time and the audio volume and of devices with a cellular radio thesignal strength.Windows Mobile has supported third party software the original Pocket PC implementations.

Windows Mobile 2

HistoryWindows Mobile was based on the Windows CE kernel and first appeared as the Pocket PC 2000 operating system.It was supplied with a suite of basic applications developed with the Microsoft Windows API, and is designed tohave features and appearance somewhat similar to desktop versions of Windows. Third parties can develop softwarefor Windows Mobile with no restrictions imposed by Microsoft. Software applications were purchasable fromWindows Marketplace for Mobile during the service's lifespan.Most early Windows Mobile devices came with a stylus, which can be used to enter commands by tapping it on thescreen. The primary touch input technology behind most devices were resistive touchscreens which often required astylus for input. Later devices used capacitive sensing which does not require a stylus. Along with touchscreens alarge variety of form factors existed for the platform. Some devices featured slideout keyboards, while othersfeatured minimal face buttons.

Windows CEMicrosoft's work on handheld portable devices began with research projects in 1990, two years later work onWindows CE officially began. Initially the OS and the user interface were developed separately. With Windows CEbeing based on Windows 95 code and a separate team handing the user interface which was codenamedWinPad(later Microsoft At Work for Handhelds). Windows 95 had strong pen support making porting easy; withsome saying "At this time, Windows 95 offers outstanding pen support. It is treating pens right for the first time."WinPad was delayed due to price and performance issues, before being scrapped in early 1995 due to touchscreendriver problems relating to WriteTouch technology, made by NCR Microelectronic Products. Although WinPad wasnever released as a consumer product, Alpha builds were released showcasing many interface elements. Duringdevelopment of WinPad a separate team worked on a project called Pulsar; designed to be a mobile communicationsversion of WinPad, described as a "pager on Steroids". This project was also canceled around the same time asWinPad. The two disbanded groups would form the Pegasus project in 1995. Pegasus would work on the hardwareside of the Windows CE OS, attempting to create a form factor similar to a PC-esque PDA like WinPad, withcommunications functionality like Pulsar. A hardware reference guide was created and devices began shipping in1996, although most of these device bore little resemblance to the goal of a pen-based touchscreen handheld device.

Pocket PC 2000Pocket PC 2000, originally codenamed "Rapier",[1] was released on April 19, 2000, and was based on Windows CE3.0. It was the debut of what was later dubbed the Windows Mobile operating system, and meant to be a successor tothe operating system aboard Palm-Size PCs. Backwards compatibility was retained with such Palm-Size PCapplications. Pocket PC 2000 was intended mainly for Pocket PC devices, however several Palm-Size PC deviceshad the ability to be updated also. Further, several Pocket PC 2000 phones were released, however Microsoft's"Smartphone" hardware platform was not yet created. The only resolution supported by this release was 240 x 320(QVGA). Removable storage card formats that were supported were CompactFlash and MultiMediaCard. At thistime Pocket PC devices had not been standardized with a specific CPU architecture. As a result, Pocket PC 2000 wasreleased on multiple CPU architectures; SH-3, MIPS, and ARM. Infrared (IR) File beaming capability was amongthe original hardware features.The original Pocket PC operating system had similar appearance to Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000operating systems.This initial release had multiple built-in applications,[2] many of them similarly branded to match their desktop counterparts; such as Microsoft Reader, Microsoft Money, Pocket Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. A version of Microsoft's Office suite called Pocket Office was also bundled and included Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Outlook. Notes, a written and sound note-taking application saw its first release and would be supported by most later versions of Windows Mobile. Character recognition support allowed Notes to distinguish styles of

Windows Mobile 3

handwriting to be learned by the OS during processing to improve accuracy and recognition levels.

Pocket PC 2002Pocket PC 2002, originally codenamed "Merlin", was released in October 2001. Like Pocket PC 2000, it waspowered by Windows CE 3.0. Although targeted mainly for 240 × 320 (QVGA) Pocket PC devices, Pocket PC 2002was also used for Pocket PC phones, and for the first time, Smartphones.[3] These Pocket PC 2002 Smartphoneswere mainly GSM devices. With future releases, the Pocket PC and Smartphone lines would increasingly collide asthe licensing terms were relaxed allowing OEMs to take advantage of more innovative, individual design ideas.Aesthetically, Pocket PC 2002 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows XP. Newlyadded or updated programs include[4][5][6][7] Windows Media Player 8 with streaming capability; MSN Messenger,and Microsoft Reader 2, with Digital rights management support. Upgrades to the bundled version of Office Mobileinclude a spell checker and word count tool in Pocket Word and improved Pocket Outlook. Connectivity wasimproved with file beaming on non-Microsoft devices such as Palm OS, the inclusion of Terminal Services andVirtual Private Networking support, and the ability to synchronize folders. Other upgrades include an enhanced UIwith theme support and savable downloads and WAP in Pocket Internet Explorer.

Windows Mobile 2003Windows Mobile 2003, originally codenamed "Ozone", was released on June 23, 2003, and was the first releaseunder the Windows Mobile banner. It came in four editions: "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC PremiumEdition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Professional Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone" and"Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition". The last was designed especially for Pocket PCs whichinclude phone functionalities. The Professional Edition was used in Pocket PC budget models. It lacked a number offeatures that were in the Premium Edition, such as a client for L2TP/IPsec VPNs. Windows Mobile 2003 waspowered by Windows CE 4.20. Communications interface were enhanced with Bluetooth device management.Which allowed for Bluetooth file beaming support, Bluetooth headset support and support for Bluetooth add-onkeyboards. A pictures application with viewing, cropping, e-mail, and beaming support was added. Multimediaimprovements included MIDI file support as ringtones in Phone Edition and Windows Media Player 9.0 withstreaming optimization. A puzzle game titled Jawbreaker is among the preinstalled programs. GAPI was includedwith this release to facilitate the development of games for the platform. Other features/built-in applications includedthe following:[8] enhanced Pocket Outlook with vCard and vCal support, improved Pocket Internet Explorer andSMS reply options for Phone Edition.

Windows Mobile 2003 SEWindows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, also known as "Windows Mobile 2003 SE", was released on March 24, 2004and first offered on the Dell Axim x30. This was the last version which allowed users to back up and restore anentire device through ActiveSync.This upgrade allows users to switch between Portrait and Landscape modes and introduces a single-Column layoutin Pocket Internet Explorer. To make wireless internet access more secure Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) supportwas added. An array of new screen resolutions also debuted;VGA (640×480), 176х220, 240x240, and 480x480, toincrease visual clarity and the range of form factors Windows Mobile could run on.

Windows Mobile 4

Windows Mobile 5Windows Mobile 5.0, originally codenamed "Magneto", was released at Microsoft's Mobile and EmbeddedDevelopers Conference 2005 in Las Vegas, May 9–12, 2005. Microsoft offered mainstream support for WindowsMobile 5 through October 12, 2010, and extended support through October 13, 2015. It was first offered on the DellAxim x51. It used the .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP3, an environment for programs based on .NET. WindowsMobile 5.0 included Microsoft Exchange Server "push" functionality improvements that worked with Exchange2003 SP2. The "push" functionality also required vendor/device support With AKU2 software upgrades all WM 5.0devices supported DirectPush. This version featured increased battery life due to Persistent storage capability.Previously up to 50% (enough for 72 hours of storage) of battery power was reserved just to maintain data in volatileRAM. This continued the trend of Windows-based devices moving from using RAM as their primary storagemedium to the use of a combination of RAM and flash memory (in use, no distinction between the two is obvious tousers). Programs and frequently accessed data run in RAM, while most storage is in the flash memory. The OSseamlessly moves data between the two as needed. Everything is backed up in the flash memory, so unlike priordevices, WM5 devices lose no data if power is lost. New to 5.0, OS updates were released as Adaptation kitupgrades, with AKU 3.5 being the final released.A new version of Office was bundled called "Microsoft Office Mobile" with includes PowerPoint Mobile, ExcelMobile with graphing capability and Word Mobile with the ability to insert tables and graphics. Media managementand playback was enhanced with Picture and Video package, which converged the management of videos andpictures and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Among new hardware features were enhanced Bluetooth support,default QWERTY keyboard-support and a management interface for Global Positioning System (GPS).Improvements were made to ActiveSync 4.2 with 15% increased synchronization speed. Business customersbenefited from a new error reporting facility similar to that present in desktop and server Windows systems. CallerID now supports photos so a user can apply an image to each contact to show when a call is received. DirectShowwas also natively added. This release was the first to include DirectDraw with hardware acceleration, replacing thedeprecated graphics component of GAPIWindows Mobile 5.0 requires at least 64 MBs of ROM (it's advisable to have 64 MBs of RAM), and the device mustrun an ARM compatible processor such as the Intel XScale or the Samsung and Texas Instruments ARMcompatibles.[9]

Windows Mobile 6Windows Mobile 6, formerly codenamed "Crossbow", was released on February 12, 2007 at the 3GSM WorldCongress 2007. It comes in three different versions: "Windows Mobile 6 Standard" for Smartphones (phones withouttouchscreens), "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" for Pocket PCs with phone functionality, and "Windows Mobile 6Classic" for Pocket PCs without cellular radios.Windows Mobile 6 is powered by Windows CE 5.0 (version 5.2) and is strongly linked to the then newly introducedWindows Live and Exchange 2007 products. Windows Mobile 6 Standard was first offered on the Orange's SPVE650, while Windows Mobile 6 Professional was first offered on the O2's Xda Terra. Aesthetically, WindowsMobile 6 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows Vista. Functionally, it works muchlike Windows Mobile 5, but with much better stability.Along with the announcement of Office Mobile 6.1 with support for Office 2007 document formats (pptx, docx, xlsx); OneNote Mobile, a companion to Microsoft Office OneNote was added to the already installed version. In addition to the newly included programs with Office Mobile improvements were made to existing applications. Such as HTML email support in Outlook Mobile. A large number of Windows Mobile users are enterprise users business environments were targeted. With Server Search on Microsoft Exchange 2007, Out of Office Replies with Microsoft Exchange 2007, and search ability for contacts in an Exchange Server Address Book being implemented. To aid development for programmers, .NET Compact Framework v2 SP2 is now preinstalled with the OS. Developers and

Windows Mobile 5

users also have access to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition for storage and retrieval of information.AJAX, JavaScript, and XMLDOM support were added to Internet Explorer Mobile along with improved devicewideInternet Sharing. Communication abilities were further enhanced with a new Microsoft Bluetooth Stack and VoIP(Internet calling) support with AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancelling) and MSRT Audio Codec.To improve security Microsoft added Storage Card Encryption so that encryption keys are lost if device iscold-booted. Further updates both, security and feature, can now also be provided using Operating System LiveUpdate[10]

Among other improvements: 320x320 and 800x480 (WVGA) screen resolution support (The S01SH or "Em One"by Sharp was the first and only device to have a 800x480 screen on WM5), Improved Remote Desktop access(Available for only certain Pocket PCs), Customer Feedback option, Smartfilter for searching within programs andUnlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) support for select operators

Windows Mobile 6.1Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced April 1, 2008. It is a minor upgrade to the Windows Mobile 6 platform withvarious performance enhancements and a redesigned Home screen featuring horizontal tiles that expand on clickingto display more information, although this new home screen is featured only on Windows Mobile Standard edition.This was not supported in the Professional edition. Several other changes such as threaded SMS, full page zoomingin Internet Explorer and 'Domain Enroll' were also added, along with a "mobile" version of the Microsoft OneNoteprogram and an interactive "Getting Started" wizard. Domain Enroll is functionality to connect the device to SystemCenter Mobile Device Manager 2008, a product to manage mobile devices. The most apparent of the otherdifferences is that the Standard version (like prior versions) still creates automatic links for telephone numbers inTasks and Appointments, which allows for the easier click and dial of stored telephone numbers within theseOutlook items. This feature is not supported in the Professional version. Windows Mobile 6.1 also had improvedbandwidth efficiency in its push-email protocol "Activesync" of "up to 40%"; this considerably improved battery lifein many devices.Aside from the visual and feature distinctions, the underlying CE versions can be used to differentiate WM6.0 fromWM 6.1. The version of Windows CE in WM 6.0 is 5.2.*, with the final number being a 4 digit build ID (e.g.5.2.1622 on HTC Wing). In WM 6.1, the CE version is 5.2.* with a 5 digit build number (e.g. 5.2.19216 on PalmTreo 800w).

Windows Mobile 6.5Windows Mobile 6.5 was a stopgap update to Windows Mobile 6.1 intended to bridge the gap between version 6.1and the then yet-to-be released Windows Mobile 7 (Later renamed Windows Phone 7), that arrived in 2010. It wasnever part of Microsoft's mobile phone roadmap, and has been described by its chief executive, Steve Ballmer, as"not the full release [Microsoft] wanted" until the multi-touch-enabled Windows Mobile 7 (now replaced byWindows Phone) arrived in 2010. Ballmer also indicated that the company "screwed up with Windows Mobile", helamented that Windows Mobile 7 was not yet available and that the Windows Mobile team needed to try to recouplosses. Microsoft unveiled this version at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in February, and several devices weresupplied with it. It was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009; the first devices running the operating systemappeared in late October 2009. Several phones that officially shipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 can be officiallyupdated to Windows Mobile 6.5. This update includes some significant new added features, such as a revampedGUI, a new Today screen resembling that of Microsoft's Zune player with vertically scrollable labels (called'Titanium'). WM6.5 also includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, with improved interface.Along with Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announced several Cloud computing services codenamed "SkyBox", "SkyLine", "SkyMarket". "SkyBox" has been confirmed as My Phone, while "SkyMarket" has been confirmed as Windows Marketplace for Mobile. This version was designed mainly for easier finger usage. Some reviewers have

Windows Mobile 6

noted interface inconsistencies, with some applications having small buttons making them harder to operate usingonly a finger. Whilst this version of Windows Mobile does not natively support capacitive screens, mobilemanufacturers have been able to use them on their devicesIn the months following this release, development shifted from Windows Mobile to its successor Windows Phone.As such no major upgrades were planned or released, although three minor updates; 6.5.1, 6.5.3 and 6.5.5; weremade to satisfy consumers during the transition period. 6.5.1 brings larger user interface elements, including iconbased soft buttons (rather than text based), an updated contacts app, native support for A-GPS, improved threadedtext messaging, and performance improvements. It was unofficially ported to several Windows Mobile phones.The second minor update was announced on February 2, 2010, along with the Sony Ericsson Aspen which was thefirst phone to use this version. 6.5.3 continues the trend of attempting to provide a more finger-friendly user interfacewith several new usability features such as native support for multitouch; although device maker HTC Corporationcreated proprietary work-arounds to allow multi-touch to work on some applications it installed on its HD2handset(However, Microsoft applications on this handset, such as the Internet Explorer web browser, did not supportmulti-touch.) and drag-and-drop start menu icons. Touchable tiles replaced soft keys." Internet Explorer Mobile 6has also received some major updates including decreased page load time, improved memory management andgesture smoothing. As with other updates it was unofficially ported to some other devices. Additional featuresinclude threaded email and Office Mobile 2010.The last minor update and the last released version is 6.5.5. It first leaked in January 2010, and was unofficiallyported to some Windows Mobile phones. The name Windows Mobile 6.5.5 has been applied to these newer builds,although this name remained unconfirmed by Microsoft.

Hardware

An HTC Excalibur Smartphone

There are three main versions of Windows Mobile for various hardwaredevices:• Windows Mobile Professional runs on smartphones with touchscreens• Windows Mobile Standard runs on mobile phones without

touchscreens• Windows Mobile Classic which runs on personal digital assistant or

Pocket PCs.

Windows Mobile for Automotive and Windows Mobile software forPortable Media Centers are among some specialty versions of the platform.Microsoft had over 50 handset partners, when Windows Mobile was stillbeing shipped on new devices. 80% of the 50 million Windows Mobiledevices that were made from launch to February 2009 were built by onecontract manufacturing group, HTC, which makes handsets for severalmajor companies under their brands, and under its own brand.

Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5

On January 10, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5. The operating system hascompatibility with Windows Mobile 6.5 and is presented as an enterprise handheld device, targeting retailers,delivery companies, and other companies that rely on handheld computing. Unlike Windows Phone, WindowsEmbedded Handheld retains backward compatibility with legacy Windows Mobile applications.

Windows Mobile 7

Pocket PCsPocket PCs and personal digital assistants were originally the intended platform for Windows Mobile. These weregrouped into two main categories: devices that lacked mobile phone capabilities, and those that included it.Beginning with version 6 devices with this functionality ran "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" and those that lackedit ran "Windows Mobile 6 Classic". Microsoft had described these devices as "a handheld device that enables you tostore and retrieve e-mail, contacts, appointments, play multimedia files, games, exchange text messages with MSNMessenger, browse the Web, and more". From a technical standpoint Microsoft also specified various hardware andsoftware requirements such as the inclusion of a touchscreen and a directional pad or touchpad.

SmartphonesSmartphones were the second hardware platform after Pocket PC to run Windows Mobile, and debuted with therelease of Pocket PC 2002. Although in the broad sense of the term "Smartphone", both Pocket PC phones andMicrosoft branded Smartphones each fit into this category, it should be noted that Microsoft's use of the term"Smartphone" includes only more specific hardware devices that differ from Pocket PC phones. Such Smartphoneswere originally designed without touchscreens, intended to be operated more efficiently with only one hand, andtypically had lower display resolution than Pocket PCs. Microsoft's focus for the Smartphone platform was to createa device that functioned well as a phone and data device in a more integrated manner.[11]

Naming conventions for each version

PocketPC 2000

Pocket PC2002

WindowsMobile 2003

WindowsMobile 2003 SE

WindowsMobile 5.0

WindowsMobile 6

WindowsMobile 6.0

WindowsMobile 6.5

Pocket PC(without

Mobile Phone)

PocketPC 2000

Pocket PC2002

WindowsMobile 2003 forPocket PC

WindowsMobile 2003 forPocket PC SE

WindowsMobile 5.0 forPocket PC

WindowsMobile 6Classic

WindowsMobile 6.1Classic

N/A

Pocket PC(with Mobile

Phone)

PocketPC 2000PhoneEdition

Pocket PC2002 PhoneEdition

WindowsMobile 2003 forPocket PCPhone Edition

WindowsMobile 2003 SEfor Pocket PCPhone Edition

WindowsMobile 5.0 forPocket PCPhone Edition

WindowsMobile 6Professional

WindowsMobile 6.1Professional

WindowsMobile 6.5Professional

Smartphone(without touch

screen)

N/A Smartphone2002

WindowsMobile 2003 forSmartphone

WindowsMobile 2003 SEfor Smartphone

WindowsMobile 5.0 forSmartphone

WindowsMobile 6Standard

WindowsMobile 6.1Standard

WindowsMobile 6.5Standard

Market share

Year Marketsharein U.S.

2004 11.3%

2005 17%

2006 37%

2007 42%

2008 27%

2009 15%

2010 7%

2011 3%

Windows Mobile 8

Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market grew from its inception while new devices were being released.Peaking in 2007, after which it saw decline year-on-year.In Q1 2004, Windows Mobile accounted for 23% of worldwide smartphone sales. Windows Mobile was projected toovertake Symbian to become the leading mobile OS by 2010.In Q4 2005 Microsoft shipped 2.2 million PDAs, which increased to 3.5 million in the same quarter the followingyear. Windows Mobile saw year over year growth between 2005–2006 of 38.8% which according to Gartner "helpedWindows Mobile to solidify its stronghold on the market".But by 2008, its share had dropped to 14%. Microsoft licensed Windows Mobile to four out of the world's fivelargest mobile phone manufacturers, with Nokia being the exception.Gartner research data showed that while the total smartphone industry grew 27% between 2008 and 2009, WindowsMobile's share of the smartphone market fell 2.7% in that same period. It also decreased by 20% in Q3 2009. At onetime Windows Mobile was the most popular handset for business use,[citation needed] but by 2009 this was no longerthe case; 24% of planned business deployments of mobile application were for Windows Mobile, putting it in 3rdplace, behind Blackberry (61%) and iPhone (27%);In February 2009 Microsoft signed a deal with the third largest mobile phone maker, LG Electronics, to licenseWindows Mobile OS on 50 upcoming LG smartphone models. But in September 2009, Palm, Inc. announced itwould drop Windows Mobile from its smartphone line-up. Gartner estimated that by the third quarter of 2009Windows Mobile's share of worldwide smartphone sales was 7.9%. By August 2010, it was the least popularsmartphone operating system, with a 5% share of the worldwide smartphone market (after Symbian, BlackBerry OS,Android and iOS). An October 2009 report in DigiTimes said that Acer will shift its focus from Windows Mobile toGoogle Android. The New York Times reported in 2009 that Windows Mobile "is foundering", as cellphone makersdesert it in favor of Google's Android phone platform. It cited the difficulties in Microsoft's business model, whichinvolves charging handset manufacturers up to $25 for each copy of Windows Mobile, while rival Google givesaway Android for free. From late 2009 analysts and media reports began to express concerns about the futureviability of the Windows Mobile platform, and whether Microsoft would keep supporting it into the future. Samsungannounced in November 2009 that it would phase out the Windows Mobile platform, to concentrate on its own Badaoperating system, Google's Android, and Microsoft's Windows Phone.

A Ford Territory with Windows Mobileadvertising seen in Auckland, New Zealand in

2008.

Software development

Software may be developed by third parties for the Windows Mobileoperating system. Developers have several options for deployingmobile applications. These include writing native code with VisualC++, managed code that works with the .NET Compact Framework,writing code in Tcl-Tk with eTcl, GCC using CeGCC, Python usingPythonCE or server-side code that can be deployed using InternetExplorer Mobile or a mobile client on a user's device. The .NETCompact Framework is a subset of the .NET Framework and hence

shares many components with software development on desktop clients, application servers, and web servers whichhave the .NET Framework installed, thus integrating networked computing space.

To aid developers Microsoft released software development kits (SDKs) that work in conjunction with their Visual Studio development environment. These SDKs include emulator images for developers to test and debug their applications while writing them. Software can be tested on a client machine directly or be downloaded to a device. Microsoft also distributes Visual Studio 2008 / 2005 Professional Editions, and server / database counterparts to students as downloads free of charge via its DreamSpark program. Third party integrated development environments can also be used to write software such as Lazarus, Resco MobileForms Toolkit, Lexico, NS Basic and Basic4ppc.

Windows Mobile 9

Some third party development environments allow coding to be done on the device itself without the need for acomputer.Developer communities have used the SDK to port later versions of Windows Mobile OS to older devices andmaking the OS images available for free, thus providing the devices with the current feature set. Microsoft hastolerated this procedure for some time but decided in February 2007 to ask developers to take their OS images offthe net, which in turn raised discussions. At the same time Microsoft offered upgrades to Windows Mobile 6versions to manufacturers for free.Windows Mobile applications are strongly encouraged to be optimized for touch screen user interfaces. Thedeveloper also needs to take into the account the lower CPU performance of older devices.On July 5, 2009, Microsoft opened a third-party application distribution service called Windows Marketplace forMobile. In 2011, Windows Marketplace for Mobile stopped accepting new admissions. and then fully closed on May9, 2012.[]

ConnectivityIn the early years of Windows Mobile devices were able to be managed and synced from a remote computer usingActiveSync; a data synchronization technology and protocol developed by Microsoft, originally released in 1996.This allowed servers running Microsoft Exchange Server, or other third party variants, to act as a personalinformation manager and share information such as email, calendar appointments, contacts or internet favorites.With the release of Windows Vista, ActiveSync was replaced with Windows Mobile Device Center. Device Centeris included with Vista and Windows 7 and contains the same functionality of its predecessor. This new versionprovides many front end enhancements, allowing a home user to sync PIM information with Microsoft Outlook 2003and later, photos from Windows Photo Gallery, videos or music from Windows Media Player and favorites withInternet Explorer; without the need for a server back end. Devices at this time also included a base driver compatiblewith Mobile Device Center so a user can connect to a computer without a need for any configuration.

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Retrieved September 6, 2007.[2] De Herrera, Chris. More Than a PDA! (http:/ / www. pocketpcmag. com/ cms/ _archives/ May00/ MorethanPDA. asp). Pocket PC Magazine.

Retrieved September 14, 2007.[3] Morris, John; Taylor, Josh, Microsoft jumps in the all-in-one game (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20011217080411/ www. zdnet. com/

products/ stories/ reviews/ 0,4161,2824082,00. html), zdnet.com, Retrieved from the Internet Archive September 6, 2007.[4] Announcing the New Pocket PC 2002 (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020124155709/ http:/ / www. microsoft. com/ mobile/ pocketpc/

pocketpc2002/ default. asp), Microsoft, Retrieved from the Internet Archive September 6, 2007.[5] Gray, Douglas. HP to unveil Jornada 560 series of handhelds (http:/ / www. itworld. com/ Comp/ 1279/ IDG010906jornada/ ). ITWorld.com.

Retrieved September 14, 2007.[6] Gray, Douglas. Palming new handhelds: Pocket PC 2002 (http:/ / archives. cnn. com/ 2001/ TECH/ ptech/ 10/ 05/ new. handhelds. idg/ ).

CNN. Retrieved September 14, 2007.[7] De Herrera, Chris. The Pocket PC 2002 Gets More Features for Work and Play (http:/ / www. pocketpcmag. com/ _archives/ jan02/

PocketPC2002. asp). Pocket PC Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2007.[8] De Herrera, Chris. Windows Mobile 2003 (http:/ / www. pocketpcmag. com/ _archives/ nov03/ windowsmobile2003. asp). Pocket PC

Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2007.[9] Lisa Gade: An introduction to Windows Mobile 5.0 (http:/ / www. mobiletechreview. com/ editorials/ windows-mobile-5. htm) (Sept. 5,

2005)[10] "Image Gallery: Windows Mobile 6 Professional screenshots, Windows Update, screen 1" (http:/ / content. zdnet. com/

2346-12553_22-54353-24. html). ZDNet. Retrieved October 10, 2007.[11] Mobile Phones|Smartphone – Software Features Overview (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20020608124628/ www. microsoft. com/

mobile/ phones/ smartphone/ integrated. asp). Microsoft. Retrieved September 6, 2007 from the Internet Archive.

Windows Mobile 10

External links• Windows Mobile website (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20100923101938/ http:/ / www. microsoft. com/

windowsmobile/ en-us/ default. mspx) at the Wayback Machine (archived September 23, 2010)• Windows Mobile Team Blog (http:/ / blogs. msdn. com/ windowsmobile/ default. aspx)

Article Sources and Contributors 11

Article Sources and ContributorsWindows Mobile  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=578282354  Contributors: .:Alex:., 2602:306:3159:1270:9997:48F6:C08B:DC81, 2toy mora, 3gmobiletool, 5 albert square,A Quest For Knowledge, A.bit, Abdelfatahsaad, Abrahami, Acidus1999, Acroterion, Adashiel, Ahoerstemeier, Ajcfreak, Akhristov, Alcedes78, Ale07, Alex Ruddick, Alexf, Alexius08,AlistairMcMillan, Alpha Quadrant, Alunphillips, Alvin-cs, Amatulic, Ancheta Wis, Anclation, Andries, Angstygangsta, Another Believer, Antandrus, Ar-wiki, Ariel Zamir, Armando,Aurora7795, AussieLegend, BaRiMzI, Bachcell, Barek, Beao, Beetstra, Before My Ken, Ben Ben, Ben414, Bendes, Bernd vdB, Blethering Scot, Bonadea, Bonsai8, Bonzoled, Booble2004, BornIn July, Bovineone, Brianreading, Briantw, Broadband118, ButOnMethItIs, Buybooks Marius, C4andrei, C628, C:Amie, Cactus22, CalumCook234, CalumCookable, Cameron Scott, Camp,Canyq, CaptainStack, Carwon, Casey boy, Ceyockey, Chambo622, Charles07958, Chmyr, Chowbok, Chris Ssk, Chrisjj3, Cleared as filed, Closedmouth, Codename Lisa, CommonsDelinker,Compfreak7, Craigbrass, Crpietschmann, Crystallina, Cumbiagermen, Curlz06, Curps, Cybermd, Cyzor, DMacks, DabMachine, Daddygee, Dalai.lamia, Dalehawaii, DalekClock, Dancter,Danifronter, Danjayh, Dark MooGoo, DarkAudit, Darolew, Darremon, DavidCane, Debresser, Destynova, Deviceapps, Dewet, Dgtsyb, Doniago, Doshindude, Download, Dyert, EEPROM Eagle,Earthsound, Edward, Edward Velo, Edwtie, Eisenbrl, EkriirkE, Ekto, Electricjolt, Eliethesame, Elkman, EoGuy, Euchiasmus, Eug, EuroCarGT, Evice, Fabian.Wollnowski, Federalist51, Feinoha,Feliciahenry, FireballDWF2, Firsfron, Fleasoft, FleetCommand, Fleminra, Flix11, FlyHigh, Flyguy649, Friviere, Futurix, GadgetLover, Galoubet, Garethjmsaunders, Gary King, Gears1, Ghenne,Ghettoblaster, Gioto, Giraffepal76, GoingBatty, Good4every1, Gorgan almighty, GrEyFoX8585, GraemeL, Grafen, GrahamDo, Grayshi, Gregoryopera, Grimhim, Gronky, Gtasagta, Hal9876,Harmil, Harryboyles, Heat fan1, Hedge777, Heja2009, Hemant harsh, Herbee, Hervegirod, Hgb asicwizard, Hisagi, Hiscompass, Hollatest, Hrhnick, Hu12, HumphreyW, Hut 8.5, Hydrox,IamPortuguese, Iandotcom, Ichthyoid, Ileanadu, Imroy, Ingolfson, Interframe, InternetMeme, Intractable, Iridescent, Ishi Gustaedr, Isnow, Iuhkjhk87y678, Ivansanchez, J Milburn, J.delanoy,JCDenton2052, JCheng, JLaTondre, JVz, Jacoplane, Jaimiethedog, Jaizovic, Jakewan, Jamesofur, Jasecloud4, Jeremy Visser, Jerryobject, Jie j hong, Jim1138, John Ericson, John of Reading,Jomni, Jonathen Skews, Josh the Nerd, Jspilker, JuanDG, Jutiphan, JvanEkris, Jæs, KJimSoB12, Kainino, Katelinm80, Katieh5584, Kdiskcom, Kelly Martin, Khalid hassani, Khazar, Kjwu,Kkm010, Kman9, Koavf, Koman90, Korean alpha for knowledge, Kozuch, KrisBogdanov, KumardipSarkar, Kuru, Kypr8, Landroo, LarsOkra, Lcaa9, Lcawte, Lerdsuwa, Lester, Limulus,Lisamay76, Lkt1126, Lonaowna, Longhair, LukeSearle, Lun4tic, Luna Santin, MER-C, MK8, MMNaseri, MRSC, MTand, Mabdul, MadMatt099, Mahanga, ManiacK, Manpal78, MarcZimmermann, Mardus, Marius, Markcoulter50, Markish99, Marrowmonkey, Martarius, Martin0499, MasterOfTheXP, Matthias.hilty, Mazarin07, Mdebets, Mdwh, Metrax, Mmairs, Mobiano,Mobilephoneshopuk, Monticus, Mordka, MoreNet, Mr.Unknown, Mr4top, Mraeryceos, Mushroom, Mwanner, NFH, Nandssiib, Nealmcb, Nerdeff, Ngoodman, NickW557, Nicolas Love, Noir,Norm, Northgrove, Novelist, Nposs, OSX, Octahedron80, Octavius 909, Ohconfucius, Ohnoitsjamie, Oliverdl, Omegatron, Ondemandbiz, OpenToppedBus, Opensourceuser123456, Orenburg1,Oyam5000, PDH, PMDrive1061, Paul 1953, Paxsimius, Perfectsolo, PermanentE, Phearson, PhilKnight, PiersMW, Pinnecco, Pithecanthropus, PizzaMan, Pjrm, PlayStation 69, Plumbago,Pmarshal, Pol098, Ppntori, Prasannavigneshr, Pseudo daoist, Ptaavs, QUINTIX, Qnonsense, Quickliger, R'n'B, RUL3R, Radear, Rasmasyean, Ravegudrun, RaviC, Rebroad, Reliablesoft,Remember the dot, Return22, Riadlem, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, RobyWayne, Rodasmith, Rogerioth, Roketjack, RossPatterson, Rsaplus, Rsocol, Rudy Zeinoun, RufusThorne, Rwwww,SENS11, SETh of MONROVIA, Sandoway7, Sekelsenmat, Senori, Sfan00 IMG, Shansheng, Sharik Purkar, Sherkhon, Shjacks45, Shrumster, Sigma 7, Silas S. 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Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Windows Mobile logo.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Windows_Mobile_logo.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Microsoft CorporationFile:DopodC720W.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:DopodC720W.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: JoshualamFile:2004-2008 Ford Territory TX wagon (Windows Mobile) 01.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:2004-2008_Ford_Territory_TX_wagon_(Windows_Mobile)_01.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0  Contributors: Mark fromAuckland, New Zealand.

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