Subtle Changes in Windows Mobile 5 [Archive]

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Mike Temporale

11-08-2005, 11:00 PM

We've read many reviews and seen many screen captures, but there are still a number of subtle differences between Windows Mobile 2003 and Windows Mobile 5. So I thought I would list off a couple of things that have tripped me up in the last 24 hours. Nothing in this list is ground breaking. In fact, I think all of the changes are for the better, regardless of how small they may seem. <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20051108-FolderStructure.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> The first change that I wasn't aware of was the change in the file system structure. The above screen capture was taken off my fresh new device, before I had a chance to do any real installs. I like the new layout, and I think it will be easier for people to place files in the right spots. Here's a list of some of the other changes I've come across: <!> To unlock the keypad on a candy-bar style phone, you press the left soft key followed by the * key and not the # key as it was in the past. The unlock screen can now display the date and/or time ActiveSync 4 has support for a Media conduit - music syncing should be much better now Data Connections now controls everything from Bluetooth to WiFi to GPRS. It's great to control all these settings in one place! Homescreen in the settings menu has been renamed Home Screen. Support for Error Reporting when something crashes.

Kris Kumar

11-09-2005, 06:03 AM

"Document and Settings" folder? :? Hmm, looks like Windows Mobile is becoming more and more like Windows desktop. Support for error reporting is another desktop annoyance...I meant feature.

Darius Wey

11-09-2005, 08:40 AM

"Document and Settings" folder? :? Hmm, looks like Windows Mobile is becoming more and more like Windows desktop.

This is present in Windows Mobile 5.0 for the Pocket PC as well.

Actually, ever since its introduction, it seems to have broken the reliability of Windows Media Player 10 Mobile to update its library properly. I know it's a problem on the Pocket PC, though I'm not too sure about the Smartphone - yet. Edit: Never mind. I was thinking of a different folder. :P

Support for error reporting is another desktop annoyance...I meant feature.

You have the option of disabling it if you want to. :)

pugwonk

11-09-2005, 10:17 AM

Mike Temporale

11-09-2005, 11:52 AM

Hi Mike -

I actually already mentioned this in another post, but a quick question about the keylock - if you have a reminder up but the keypad locked, does pressing the first "unlock" key actually dismiss your reminder, instead of unlocking the phone at all? This was one of my favourite gripes about WM2003.

Chris

When a reminder is fired off, Microsoft actually bypasses the keylock. So the unlock key is not actually the unlock key - as you are aware. I haven't really paid too much attention, but it appears to be the same. I'll be sure to try a specific example later today.

pugwonk

11-09-2005, 11:56 AM

Yep, I sort of assumed that would be what happened. The irritating thing is that "dismiss" is of course unlocked (that being what the "unlock" key once was) but "snooze" is still locked. So the only way to get back at your phone is to dismiss all your reminders, which means I end up forgetting to do all sorts of things...

Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Chris[/quote]

Kris Kumar

11-09-2005, 01:15 PM

Yep, I sort of assumed that would be what happened. The irritating thing is that "dismiss" is of course unlocked (that being what the "unlock" key once was) but "snooze" is still locked. So the only way to get back at your phone is to dismiss all your reminders, which means I end up forgetting to do all sorts of things...

Good point. That was indeed an annoying bug with WM 2003. There was no way you could snooze the appointment. The right softkey menu would not work when the keypad was locked. :twisted:

Mike Temporale

11-09-2005, 05:26 PM

... I'll be sure to try a specific example later today.

Test results are in. The right softkey is now a menu that allows you to select the amount of time you want to snooze the alert. You can select from various amounts of time (5m, 15m, 1h, 1d, 5m before, etc..). However, you can't use the joystick to navigate the menu. You must use the number pad to select the value you want. 1=5m, 2=5m before, etc... So it's better, it's just not 100%. ;)

pugwonk

11-09-2005, 05:42 PM

The right softkey is now a menu that allows you to select the amount of time you want to snooze the alert. You can select from various amounts of time (5m, 15m, 1h, 1d, 5m before, etc..). However, you can't use the joystick to navigate the menu. You must use the number pad to select the value you want. 1=5m, 2=5m before, etc... So it's better, it's just not 100%. ;)

Just to be clear - this is while the phone is otherwise locked, yep?

Even that would be a giant improvement. :)

Chris

Mike Temporale

11-09-2005, 07:27 PM

Just to be clear - this is while the phone is otherwise locked, yep?

Yup! :D

Kris Kumar

11-09-2005, 08:29 PM

Just to be clear - this is while the phone is otherwise locked, yep?

Yup! :D

Wow! One giant step in the right direction. :-)

runbuh

11-09-2005, 10:34 PM

Mike,

Are you syncing to an Exchange server with SP2? If so, what "schedule" options do you have showing in ActiveSync on the phone? Specifically, do you have a "As Items arrive" option?

If you have this option, then you have the Messaging and Security Feature Pack on your phone!!!! I have actually seen this in Beta form, and am curious to see if it shows up on your SP5m.

Mike Temporale

11-09-2005, 11:23 PM

runbuh

11-10-2005, 12:45 AM

I'm not, unfortunately, sync'ing with exchange. Is there any other way to tell if I have MSFP?

I know that if you start with a fresh phone (newly erased, whatever) and run ActiveSync (on the phone), the first thing it does if offer you the opportunity to set up sync. Go through that process, and set it up for a bogus Exchange server. Once you have set up all of your server/user info, you can go into the "Schedule" option in ActiveSync (on the phone) and see what scheduling options you have. If you have an "As items arrive" option, then you have MSFP. During this whole process, you don't want to plug your phone in to ActiveSync on your PC.

Sadly, this is the only sure way that I know of to check. I don't have access to the phone any more.

Darius Wey

11-10-2005, 05:23 AM

pugwonk

11-10-2005, 09:19 AM

Do you know - I have a small apology to make here. I was fiddling with my WM2003 phone last night and realised that it actually behaves the same way, and I hadn't realised. When the reminder pops up, both the left and right action keys are unlocked. Pressing the right one (which is "snooze", but you can't actually see that on the screen) brings up the little "snooze / dismiss all?" menu. The little joystick doesn't work, but I hadn't realised that the number keys work fine.

This is quite a revelation to me, as it means I can snooze appointments with the phone locked. Many thanks - apologies for filling this thread somewhat with nonsense!

Chris

Kris Kumar

11-10-2005, 01:00 PM

...The little joystick doesn't work, but I hadn't realised that the number keys work fine.

You are not alone. I also didn't know about it - the number keys. :oops: :)

runbuh

11-10-2005, 03:27 PM

If Mike's phone is an RTM model, then I don't think it will have the MSFP. It's not planned for release until Q1 2006, and even then, it'll only be made available through OEMs and operators, not as a direct download from Microsoft.

Oh sure, tinkle in my corn flakes, burst my bubble.

I can still hope, can't I? I saw it in beta form, I just want it to show up in production. Which brings about another question: if I buy an SP5m now, (so I can use it the Cingular network in the US), will iMate support/push out the MSFP update? I need MSFP, and I really want the Wi-Fi that comes with the SP5-series devices. The leaks of info out there make it look like the Cingular variant of the Tornado won't have the Wi-Fi bits.

Decisions, decisions...

Mike Temporale

11-10-2005, 03:36 PM

Which brings about another question: if I buy an SP5m now, (so I can use it the Cingular network in the US), will iMate support/push out the MSFP update?

There is no knowing for sure. It would be in i-mate's best interest to do so. But we won't know until the time comes.

Oh, and my phone is RTM. :D

encece

11-10-2005, 06:51 PM

Kris Kumar

11-10-2005, 06:54 PM

Another Bonus....
I have two POP accounts set up on my phone (home and work) set to poll every 15 minutes.

They both work all of the time which fixes the 2003 bug of only polling the last open account.

HURRAY!

:clap:

On a more serious note: I am turning off the update notifications for this discussion thread. All these improvements you guys are talking about..I can't take it..I can't take it. :cry:

Mike Temporale

11-10-2005, 07:20 PM

Another Bonus....
I have two POP accounts set up on my phone (home and work) set to poll every 15 minutes.

They both work all of the time which fixes the 2003 bug of only polling the last open account.

HURRAY!

This is one of the first things I tested with the phone. It's not just for POP accounts - any email accounts. They all work now.

encece - I know this was one of your complaints. I mentioned this at the MVP summit to one of the WM QA guys. I was informed that it was in fact a bug, and that it had been fixed. I just didn't know what release the fix was in. I was hoping it was WM5 and not the MSFP. Which it was! Just wanted you to know that we do bring up your complaints - even if I can't tell you about it. ;)

Back on topic... I also like the scrolling. If you're at the top of the message list, push up and it wraps around to the last message. Very handy. :)

Mike Temporale

11-10-2005, 07:23 PM

On a more serious note: I am turning off the update notifications for this discussion thread. All these improvements you guys are talking about..I can't take it..I can't take it. :cry:

Don't do that! :cry:

I'm holding back on lot's of things. (like the email issue) as I'm trying to get it into my review! :mrgreen:

encece

11-10-2005, 09:04 PM

I guess I should thank you then! :)

Mike Temporale

11-10-2005, 09:25 PM

I guess I should thank you then! :)

Nah, No need. I would be much happier if you keep posting your questions/problems/bugs/etc. so we can raise them with the gang back at the mothership - erm... I mean Microsoft. ;) :lol:

encece

11-11-2005, 12:52 AM

The phone seems to have an application lock to some degree. I realized this when I couldn't install Cell-Track. I posted a link to the fix here:

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=60984#60984

Darius Wey

11-11-2005, 01:36 AM

Oh sure, tinkle in my corn flakes, burst my bubble.

Haha, sorry. :lol:

I can still hope, can't I? I saw it in beta form, I just want it to show up in production. Which brings about another question: if I buy an SP5m now, (so I can use it the Cingular network in the US), will iMate support/push out the MSFP update? I need MSFP, and I really want the Wi-Fi that comes with the SP5-series devices. The leaks of info out there make it look like the Cingular variant of the Tornado won't have the Wi-Fi bits.

Decisions, decisions...

Don't worry, we're all hoping (just as much as you are) that it includes the MSFP by default, but it's a far cry in my opinion. Best we could wish for is that i-mate introduces it as an update next year, and given their high frequency of ROM updates and somewhat "value-added" software releases, I honestly can't see them giving MSFP the skip. Fingers crossed. :)