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Windows Mobile

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Windows Mobile
NameWindows Mobile
DeveloperMicrosoft
FamilyWindows CE
Source modelClosed source
Released19 April 2000
Latest release version6.5.3
Latest release date02 February 2010
Marketing targetMobile devices
LicenseProprietary
Succeeded byWindows Phone
Support statusUnsupported as of January 12, 2021

Windows Mobile. It was a family of mobile operating systems developed by Microsoft for personal digital assistants and early smartphones. Based on the Windows CE kernel, it aimed to provide a familiar desktop-like experience with versions named after popular Office applications. The platform was a significant player in the pre-iPhone era of mobile computing but was ultimately discontinued in favor of Windows Phone.

History

The lineage began with Windows CE, which powered early handheld PCs like the Palm-size PC. In 2000, Microsoft rebranded its PDA platform as Pocket PC 2000, which later evolved under the Windows Mobile banner. Key milestones included the integration of telephony with the Pocket PC Phone Edition and a strategic partnership with Orange S.A. for the SPV series. The platform saw its peak relevance in the mid-2000s, competing directly with Symbian and BlackBerry, before facing disruptive competition from iOS and Android. Development ceased after the release of Windows Mobile 6.5.3, with Microsoft announcing a completely new strategy under CEO Steve Ballmer at the Mobile World Congress in 2010.

Features

The interface was defined by the Today screen, which showed calendar, email, and task information. It heavily emphasized stylus input and included native versions of Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer Mobile, and Windows Media Player. Core to its identity was deep integration with Microsoft Exchange Server for corporate email and synchronization, appealing to enterprise users. Later versions added touch-optimized controls, a version of the Internet Explorer browser, and support for Adobe Flash Lite. However, it retained a menu-driven, desktop metaphor that contrasted with emerging touch-centric interfaces.

Versions

Major versions were often grouped into editions for Pocket PCs and Smartphones. Windows Mobile 2003 introduced landscape mode support and improved Wi-Fi management. Windows Mobile 5.0 was a major update, adopting a persistent storage model to prevent data loss and introducing Microsoft Office Mobile. Windows Mobile 6.0 refined the interface to resemble Windows Vista and enhanced security with Device Encryption. The final version, Windows Mobile 6.5, featured a more finger-friendly honeycomb start menu and the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, but was widely seen as a stopgap release.

Hardware

A wide array of manufacturers produced devices, including HP, HTC, Dell, Samsung, and Fujitsu Siemens. Popular models included the HTC Touch Diamond, HP iPAQ series, and Palm Treo devices running the platform. Hardware form factors varied from slate-style PDAs to QWERTY slider phones like the HTC TyTN. These devices often used Intel or Texas Instruments ARM-based processors and featured stylus pens, resistive touchscreens, and physical navigation keys.

Software development

Applications were primarily developed using Microsoft Visual Studio and languages like C# within the .NET Compact Framework. The native API was accessible through C++, and the platform supported ActiveSync for desktop connectivity. The Software Development Kit (SDK) allowed access to device functions, but development was often criticized for complexity compared to newer platforms. Third-party software distribution initially relied on independent websites, with a centralized Windows Marketplace for Mobile arriving very late in the platform's lifecycle.

Market share and competition

It held a strong position in the enterprise market throughout the early 2000s, competing with RIM's BlackBerry and Palm's webOS. However, its share began to erode rapidly following the 2007 launches of Apple's iPhone and Google's Android OS. Microsoft's slow response to the shift towards capacitive touchscreens and modern app store ecosystems proved fatal. By 2010, its global market share had dwindled to low single digits, leading to a strategic reset and the development of the Windows Phone series with a new Metro design language.

Category:Discontinued Microsoft software Category:Mobile operating systems Category:Windows CE