CNET Reviews Windows Mobile 6

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Mobile_6/4505-3672_7-32328708.html?tag=cnetfd.mt' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Mob...l?tag=cnetfd.mt</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Windows Vista isn't the only operating system making its debut this year, as Microsoft also revamped its OS for mobile devices and formally introduced Windows Mobile 6 at 3GSM World Congress. Taking the reins from Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6 isn't a complete overhaul of the OS; instead, it offers a number of useful enhancements that makes performing tasks easier and puts more powerful tools into the hands of mobile professionals. We were particularly impressed with the new e-mail search function, Mobile Office additions, and Windows Live integration, but we think Microsoft could have done a lot more. For example, multimedia improvements are practically nonexistent and the user interface is still kludgey, requiring numerous steps to complete a simple task. Also, some of the enhanced functionality to Outlook and calendaring require that you use Exchange Server 2007. Despite these flaws, the new improvements make Windows Mobile 6 worth the upgrade."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070222-cnetwm6.jpg" /><br /><br />Windows Mobile 6 is nice, but it's far from perfect. Many benefits are linked to Exchange Server 2007, so if you're not an Exchange user, there's far less for you to look forward to. On another note, it's fortunate that we "Professional" folk can create files in Word and Excel Mobile. Our Smartphone brethren, on the other hand, are <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,13658">feeling very "Standard"</a> (or maybe even less than "Standard"). ;)

[Jerry Raia]

On another note, it's fortunate that we "Professional" folk can create files in Word and Excel Mobile. Our Smartphone brethren, on the other hand, are feeling very "Standard" (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,13658) (or maybe even less than "Standard"). ;)

Don't get me started! :lol:

[stllhogan]

I don't use exchange or outlook, and it feels like this is the way it's moving, relying more and more on the two. WM6 is looking a lot less interesting to me. not sure I like the direction things are going.

[virain]

I use Exchange a lot these days. It's one of those things that if you don't have it you don't need it, but once you start using it, you can't live without it. :? And pretty much I like the direction Microsoft is moving with WM, the Idea is to be connected anywere, anytime, to be able to access not e-mails only, but calendar, notes, and all other files that you might need, Excel, World, MP3 and what ever you can think of, and not to wait to get back to you PC to Sync all of that. And also to do your work on the move is helpful too. I use Mobile Excel and Word a lot, It saves me a lot of time so I don't have to get back to my office and then try to remember all I wanted to do.

[stephman]

...On another note, it's fortunate that we "Professional" folk can create files in Word and Excel Mobile. Our Smartphone brethren, on the other hand, are feeling very "Standard" (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,13658) (or maybe even less than "Standard"). ;)

I'm not sure why you don't mention the easy fix to this that's posted on one of your sister websites:
"How To Create New Documents with Office Mobile on the Smartphone"
http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,13611&amp;sid=f60a030e4f6d44cf66525ed86b6a6bef

[JesterMania]

At work I use Outlook and Exchange everyday and it's become an integral part of getting through my day and getting things done. However, the insane prices on Canadian data rates will probably hamper me from truly being connected 24/7. At least things have improved on the software-side, now to wait for the carriers to drop their pricing.

Oh, and I love the look of that green theme.

[Darius Wey]

I'm not sure why you don't mention the easy fix to this that's posted on one of your sister websites:
"How To Create New Documents with Office Mobile on the Smartphone"
http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,13611&amp;sid=f60a030e4f6d44cf66525ed86b6a6bef

I'm well aware of the fix, and ample credit goes to Mike for coming up with it, but there's a time and place for everything. This post was aimed at querying Microsoft's decision to neglect Standard users of file creation functionality in Office Mobile, not finding a way to overcome the deficiency.

[daS]

This post was aimed at querying Microsoft's decision to neglect Standard users of file creation functionality in Office Mobile, not finding a way to overcome the deficiency.
The work-around to create your own Word and Excel "templates" on a WM6 Smartphone (yes, I know I'm using old naming :wink: ) is so obvious to anyone it's baffling as to why Microsoft did not provide the "New" menu items. :?
It's almost as though the marketing folks wanted document creation to be only a "Professional" feature, but then the engineers (knowing how important it would be for "Standard" users) pulled a fast one on them by enabling any "Standard" users with such an obvious (but slightly cumbersome) work-around. 8O

[stephman]

I'm not sure why you don't mention the easy fix to this that's posted on one of your sister websites:
"How To Create New Documents with Office Mobile on the Smartphone"
http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,13611&amp;sid=f60a030e4f6d44cf66525ed86b6a6bef

I'm well aware of the fix, and ample credit goes to Mike for coming up with it, but there's a time and place for everything. This post was aimed at querying Microsoft's decision to neglect Standard users of file creation functionality in Office Mobile, not finding a way to overcome the deficiency.
I apologize if my comment seemed like a snide remark.
I prolly was in defensive mode after reading articles at msmobiles.com ;)

[stllhogan]

It seems like we are all eagerly awaiting wm6 but from what I've been reading and hearing it's nothing amazing, maybe we are putting to much into this?