Windows by any other name

[GuyKo]

Hi all,

Possibly a newbie's question, but can I verify something here: what is between WINDOWS MOBILE 5.0 and WINDOWS SMARTPHONE and WINDOWS MOBILE POCKET PC and WINDOWS MOBILE 2003?

I have an MDA Vario (also known to our U.S. friends as iMate K-Jam) and the "About" screen says installed is "Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0 OS 5.1.70". So when I want to check software compatibility, should I only look for support for "Windows Mobile ver5"?

Thanks,

GuyKo.

[uwaku]

Windows Mobile 5 is the new operating system. It works on PPCs and Smartphones.
Smartphone Edition has several versions, all older than WM5. It only works on Smartphones.
Pocket PC Phone Edition has several versions, older than WM5. It only works on PPCs.

Both WM Smartphone and PPCPE include versions 2002 and 2003.

Only WM5 is known as "Windows Mobile." There is no "Windows Mobile 2003."

If you have a WM5 device, not all other apps will work, but a lot of them will. Your best bet is to go to the app homepage and read their compatibility info there. I've found several apps that work great on PPCPE 2003 that don't work on WM5.

Before buying an app, make sure it works on your operating system. Read reviews of forum posts and pay attention to the devices mentioned.

Good luck!

[GuyKo]

Thanks for the clarification.

GuyKo.

[ADBrown]

Windows Mobile 5 is the new operating system. It works on PPCs and Smartphones.
Smartphone Edition has several versions, all older than WM5. It only works on Smartphones.
Pocket PC Phone Edition has several versions, older than WM5. It only works on PPCs.

Both WM Smartphone and PPCPE include versions 2002 and 2003.

Only WM5 is known as "Windows Mobile." There is no "Windows Mobile 2003."

Actually, that's not accurate.

Let's break it down this way: there are two basic classes of devices: Pocket PCs and Smartphones. A Pocket PC may or may not have phone functions, but it does have a touchscreen and full software compatibility. A Smartphone does NOT have a touchscreen, and features only limited software compatibility. Pocket PCs can run most Smartphone applications, but not the other way around. Your Vario is a Pocket PC with phone functionality, sometimes referred to as a Pocket PC Phone Edition.

The various OS names reflect each successive generational release of the OS. There was Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition (released in 2004) and now the latest, Windows Mobile 5.

For maximum software compatibility, you should look for programs updated for WM5, but most programs from older operating systems will work as well.

[GuyKo]

Thanks for the notes, that does make things clearer.

Regards.