The Windows Mobile Interface

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/editorials/the_windows_mobile_interface.html' target='_blank'>http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/e..._interface.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;So this entry started as a simple post about how Laptop Mag [via Ciccone] has scored an interview with HTC CEO Peter Chou about HTC's plans for 2008. It's turned into an analysis of why I think the Windows Mobile interface works (and doesn't work) the way that it does and ends with 5 suggestions for Microsoft to improve it. Sometimes these things just sneak up on you.&quot;</em></p><p><em><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1206224512.usr6.jpg" /></em></p><p>This article highlights a lot of things that also frustrate me more and more with the Windows Mobile Interface. WM has been around long enough that it should have evolved by now into something better. Ironically it is the Smartphone interface that is less frustrating to use then the Pocket PC interface (and yes,&nbsp;I prefer to call them that, rather than the moronic Standard and Professional monikers). It doesn't seem like anyone at Microsoft is listening to anything these days. If they do not start, they will be swept away in the WM arena.</p><p><br /><br /></p>

[Rocco Augusto]

http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1206224512.usr6.jpg


(and yes, I prefer to call them that, rather than the moronic Standard and Professional monikers)....



Two things:
That is the most hilarious picture I have seen all weekend
Tell us how you really feel Jerry :D ;) :pI couldn't agree with you more on everything you said!

[swtrainer]

Good story and I couldn't agree more. Whether it is the Pocket PC OS (Standard or Pro), or the Smartphone version, Microsoft just doesn't seem to listen to users or it just doesn't seem to sink in.


The interfaces are less than intuitive and difficult to customize to your own tastes. Reordering icons is rediculous compared to the ease of moving and hiding icons with the Blackberry OS.
Apps that should be a single click or tap take 2,3 or even 4 clicks or taps to launch.
Settings, such as cache settings, are set to a level that makes the interface crawl. You can get information on forums on how to tweak these setttings to speed things up and it really does help, but if the tweaks spead things up so much, why doesn't Microsoft set it that way to begin with?
Lack of "Close" features on apps that force you to go to the Task Manager to close them is moronic.
I think that, if Microsoft continues to think the way they do, Android will blow them away in a very short time.

[Jerry Raia]

It just flabbergasts me that a company with all that firepower, Microsoft, is splashing around in the kiddie pool. :confused:

[WyattEarp]

It just flabbergasts me that a company with all that firepower, Microsoft, is splashing around in the kiddie pool. :confused:

Maybe they just feel safe there. No treading required.:)

Seriously though, I've followed this from the WinCE days and only bought into it with the PPC implementation on the iPAQ 38xx series. But it seems that since then there has been no evolution of the OS just minor updates and some eye candy. The smartphones were are a nice idea but for me, I need a touch screen. There's just no intuitive setup on the smartphones just the PPC version ported over which is something MS really needs to change.

[Tim Williamson]

If memory management worked correctly, then the "X" button wouldn't be as hated as he is. Too bad 7 years isn't enough time to fix the memory management ... :rolleyes:

[alese]

If memory management worked correctly, then the "X" button wouldn't be as hated as he is. Too bad 7 years isn't enough time to fix the memory management ... :rolleyes:

Sad but so true...

[efjay]

Should we even care anymore? Users have been calling for change for years and MS has ignored us. If Microsoft doesnt feel the need to listen to its most ardent fans then we should look elsewhere for our mobile device needs and let WM sink into oblivion as it would deserve. Its about time we the consumers got some value for the $600+ devices we shell out for.