WM6: From rumor to roll-out

Windows Mobile 6 is the latest revision of Microsoft's operating system for portable devices. It was codenamed Crossbow and first talked about late last year. Half a year on, products sporting this new OS are now starting to be available. Join us as we track the path of WM6, starting from the rumors to the upcoming products that it will grace not long from now.

Admittedly, the jump from WM5 to WM6 is really more of a hop. The changes made are evolutionary, though it's still better than no improvements at all. One of the most significant changes is that WM6 Standard (previously WM5 Smartphone Edition) will now come with Office Mobile. Users won't have to rely on third-party applications anymore to view and edit Microsoft Office documents on their Windows Mobile smart phones. Read more about the changes in our full review of WM6.

Another area of great concern is also the availability of OS upgrades. Not all devices will support WM6, but for those that do, availability of updates will depend on whether the manufacturer wants to provide them. Hit our links to find out if your device is one of the fortunate models to receive one.

About WM6
Leaked screenshots of upcoming Windows Mobile OS
Microsoft's next-generation Windows Mobile OS (code-named Crossbow) is once again in the spotlight as what appears to be screenshots of the new operating system were posted on the Web.
Beta version of Windows Mobile 6.0 leaked?
It seems you can't avoid a beta version leak with every new OS, as an early version of WM6 was made available online early this year.
Microsoft to unveil Windows Mobile 6
With its latest operating system, Microsoft is promising improved search, better security and tighter integration with Windows Live services.
Windows Mobile 6 unveiled
The big announcement here is the (un)official unveiling of Windows Mobile 6. Codenamed Crossbow, it's the new mobile operating system from Microsoft that succeeds Windows Mobile 5.
Windows Mobile 6 versus RIM and Nokia E-series
To better illustrate some of the enhanced features of its latest Windows Mobile OS, Microsoft has released several screenshots comparing the new platform to RIM's BlackBerry and Nokia's Symbian Series 60.
Full review: Windows Mobile 6
Microsoft revamped its OS for mobile devices and formally introduced Windows Mobile 6 at 3GSM World Congress. Is it worth the upgrade?



The devices and upgrades
Microsoft unveils 21 Windows Mobile 6 devices
The software giant showcased 21 new handhelds running the new mobile OS at the 3GSM World Congress tradeshow in Barcelona. Check out the upcoming handsets here.
Treo 750 to get Windows Mobile 6 update
Handheld maker Palm has announced at the CTIA Wireless Show in Orlando, Florida, that it will provide an update to Microsoft's WM6 for its Treo 750 customers worldwide later this year.
Fancy BlackBerry on your WM6 handheld?
Research In Motion plans to create software that will recreate the BlackBerry interface on selected WM6 devices.
HTC devices in Europe to get WM6 upgrade
A press document on the HTC Europe site reveals which devices will be upgraded and when these will be rolled out. Dopod says its upgrade path is still pending in Asia.
Three silver handhelds from Asus
New handhelds from the Taiwan company include a PDA-phone and two PDAs, one of which has a GPS chip for navigation.
Dopod devices get free upgrade to WM6
The Dopod D810, left out of HTC's list of products to be upgraded, is one of the handhelds listed for update to WM6 in Southeast Asia.
O2 Atom Life first to get WM6
While not the first company to announce the upgrade, O2 makes the Atom Life the first WM6 handheld to be commercially available.
WM6 for E-Ten but not for HP
E-Ten and HP announce their upgrade paths for Windows Mobile 6, but it's not all good news.
VGA display on compact handheld
E-Ten announces another PDA-phone with a VGA display, the X500+, an update of its X500 GPS-enabled handheld.