How Microsoft blew it with Windows Mobile

[thejacer]

The H19 is a high-performance smartphone with built-in barcode scanner, featuring Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional. You can always keep in touch, using any of the H19's communication options; Bluetooth, WiFi and GSM/GPRS/EDGE. The H19 is even standard equipped with GPS. -- http://www.directindustry.com/prod/o...39-401737.html

The new IT-800 PDA runs on the new operating system Microsoft® Windows® Mobile 6.5, weighs under 350 grams and is equipped with a 9.4 cm (3.7 inch) VGA screen which is about ten times more shock resistant than standard displays. -- http://www.directindustry.com/prod/c...82-405425.html

i.roc x20
i.roc® 420 - Industrial PDA

The XScale processor, the operator interface featuring Windows Mobile® 5, -- http://www.directindustry.com/prod/e...065-87139.html

Features

- MIL-STD 810F and IP54 Compliance
- Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1
- E-Compass and Altimeter
- 3M Pixels Auto-focus Camera
- VGA Display -- http://www.directindustry.com/prod/g...86-399772.html

Features:

- Windows Mobile version 6 operating system
- 1 x Type I and 1 x Type I/II CompactFlash (CF) slots for memory expansion and the addition of accessories -- http://www.directindustry.com/prod/h...79-407215.html

those are the products ur talking about right? just for fun heres the website of a company that sells these types of products all over the world with "Windows Mobile" (the MOBILE PHONE os as you so elegantly put it) right on the front page.

http://www.mobile.datalogic.com/Prod...d_pd274_7.html

please try to be more polite. I understand you without all caps.

[dishe]

Actually, smoove21, those ARE running Windows Mobile. Most of them Windows Mobile 2003, but some of them run 5 or even 6. The term Mobile does not mean phone at all. Its the same Windows Mobile running on an HTC phone that is running on a Dell Axim PDA or HP iPaq. Some of the software I run on my phone (such as mocha FTP, for example) was made for a PDA over WiFI, before PDA-Phone combos where widely available.

This is a bit off topic, but I think you are confused:
Windows CE is a modular operating system that was designed to be adapted for various uses, like solid state terminals, in-dash car entertainment consoles, GPS units, call center extensions, set-top TV boxes and even ended up on Sega's Dreamcast system.
The idea was that a hardware developer could take a standardized OS and throw modules together to easily suit their need. The default CE UI actually resembles Windows 95, with a cascading start menu on the bottom and task bar. (see here: http://www.bluewatersys.com/img/wiki...screenshot.png )

One of the divisions of the CE team wanted to compete with Palm's popular Pilot PDA, and when the HPCs didn't catch on (think pocket-sized clamshell laptop), they decided it was because no one wants to open up and use their PDA like a laptop on the go.
So, they created an alternative UI designed for portrait orientation displays, threw together some standardized modules for general PDA use, and called it Windows Mobile (actually, originally Pocket PC, but eventually the name was changed in 2003 for marketing the Windows brand).

Those devices are running the same Windows Mobile we are, although perhaps not as recent a version. Many enterprise portable computing devices such as Point-of-sale guns in Target stores or what stewards use to order and pay for drinks on JetBlue, run Windows Mobile. This is mostly instead of some version of CE because it already exists and is ready to go instead of adapting and developing a customized OS.

That is part of why WM will not really die, even if they lose relevance in the consumer market.

I have a few of those barcode scanners in my office, they used to use them for inventory. Some of the older black-and-white display ones run Windows CE with the old UI, and its kind of funny. In some ways, I wish they had kept that. Its really more like using a desktop, and seems more natural. The newer ones run Pocket PC 2003, one or two of them run WM5. I used to take the unused ones and load all my old crap on them... TCPMP, pocket DOOM, etc., just for kicks.

A coworker of mine who didn't want to carry around a large smartphone decided to actually adopt one as his PDA. Kind of silly I think, since its so big, but he wanted it not just for PIM, but also as a laptop replacement for terminal services and configuring routers though serial cables.

Just setting the record straight, here. WM *is* used for more than consumer devices. CE is a whole 'nother story...

[pixelpower]

I see people saying android this ,iphone that, besides speed what major advantage do they have over windows mobile. Windows mobile has way more applications and modifications for it than they do. The only thing with windows mobile is you have to search to find it. The onlt problem windows mobile has is they made too many phones to many resolutions and its driving developers like me crazy. Windows mobile should settle on 1 phone to represent thier brand then all developers will flood back to it. Thats the only problem i have with it , besides that long live the king.

[GirlGoneGeek]

Look at the windows mobile users in this world. They have many users who will never leave, lots being members here and customers of mine. Hopefully this will help them stay strong. Positive thoughts people

[marcus_cruz]

I dont think the game is over yet. Microsoft needs to dump a boatload of money into the development tools, branding of a whole new Microsoft Mobile OS, and not give up. They continuously release new builds as a "hey look what I can do" sort of thing, but the real market share is gonna be in "eye candy" and usability + speed. They need to appeal to the iphone "less technically savvy" people, just like android is trying and iPhone already has. Microsoft has the power, I just dont know what they're waiting for. They need to make the MS Mobile platform "cool". Even with WM7 coming, I still dont think it's gonna shake too many iphone users away. Part of the problem with games etc, is writing them and debugging them for the WM OS is so damn difficult and buggy, with all kinds of constraints all over the place. The development tools just are not there yet for powerful gaming apps. I'm a developer, I have tried to write for WM. Too much work. Apples C iphone SDK is so easy to use. But yet I cant write jack for Mac's. They need to just start allowing ATOM processors in our phones. Not just ARM instruction sets. That would really cripple apple's iphone. Or allow full x86 Windows OS's to be run on an ARM processor. Smaller versions of course.

[BlackDynamite]

Atom CPU with a full x86 OS? Man that would be so awesome. One can only dream of the day (and we all know it has to be coming at some point)...

[Rabid_Gypsy]

I agree that MS has dropped the ball, but they were originally geared towards business. It was a small group of people with a high dispensable income that could afford theses devices for personal use. Yes BB has eaten a huge marketshare of the business market, but that is because businesses like the 'simpleness' and standardness of BB, a device that is software & hardware by the same manufacturer. Our IT dept won't allow anything other than BB for our exchange server becuase there is less control on their end.
The market really exploded for personal smartphones with the iphone (another software & hardware singularity) and changed the market. I don't really think anyone expected 4 years ago that smartphones would become as common as they are now. A large portion of people I know with iphones got them because it is easier to have your ipod and phone together, I think that the market isn't as big as the numbers show because of this. Why wouldn't they lose market share? New and shiny will always draw people away and between the iphone and Android getting so much 'heat' in the media, you have to expect some people to just jump for something different, I know if I had the money, and the right network, I'd have an Android phone as well.
I think WM also suffers because of the carriers. I live in Canada and I rarely see a commercial for any WM handsets. I see tons of BB/Android/iphone spots and they show all of the things that those phones do I yell at my TV "My phone does that too!" but for some reason, the carriers never seem to want to push those devices.
Sorry if I am all over the place, too many tangents, too little brain.

[orangekid]

well its still not over, Microsoft can do things right now that will save and propel their OS to a new level. Obviously they know how to make money and sell products, but I just hope they realize where the mobile phone industry is going and how fast it changes every day, I hope wm7 is a more liquid OS.

[x10guy]

The only problem is that Microsoft has pushed the release date of Windows Mobile 7 to very late 2010. That's a long time to wait for the next "big" release. In the meantime, they will have trouble holding onto customers.

[BlackDynamite]

Originally Posted by x10guy

The only problem is that Microsoft has pushed the release date of Windows Mobile 7 to very late 2010. That's a long time to wait for the next "big" release. In the meantime, they will have trouble holding onto customers.

I would like to see WM7 too, don't get me wrong.. But I guess I just don't see what is so bad about WM 6.5. It's a huge upgrade over 6.1 as far as the interface goes.

If my Touch Pro 2 had a better camera and a flash, a 1 gig processor, half a gig of RAM, a front facing camera (with accessible API) and an FM transmitter, I would probably not be looking to upgrade for quite a while (well, a couple years anyway, lol).

WM7 will probably be good, but the hardware and advertising is what will make or break it in my opinion.