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View Full Version : A Look at Windows Vista's Windows Mobile Device Center


Darius Wey
06-28-2006, 02:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,11469' target='_blank'>http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/a...on=expand,11469</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Windows Mobile Device Center is the new name for the interface that enables mobile device synchronization in Windows Vista. In my last article "Inside Windows Vista: Windows Mobile Device Center and Sync Center," I had offered a quick look at the feature as it was implemented in the Windows Vista Beta Build 5308. Our readers will remember that I had concluded the article saying that the feature has not been implemented completely and the critical pieces that enable synchronization of Outlook information like contacts, calendar and tasks etc, the most important pieces of device synchronization, are not enabled. Meanwhile Microsoft was claiming that Windows Vista will have the ActiveSync functionality baked into the core operating system but Vista testers, including myself, could not find any proof to verify that claim. Even after Windows Vista Beta 2 Build 5384 (a major milestone) was released in May, the mobile device synchronization was not supported. This made me believe that Microsoft had shelved the plans to improve the mobile device support in Windows Vista because of all the delays associated with the product launch. The situation changed recently after I received a tip from one of our readers, mzh, who informed us about an update that has been made available to Beta 2 testers. I booted my test system into Windows Vista and ran Windows Update. Sure enough there was an update waiting to be installed and it enabled the missing feature. Smile After looking at the updated Windows Mobile Device Center, I can confidently say - "Goodbye ActiveSync!"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-Vista-SyncingSpc.jpg" /><br /><br />Kris Kumar, over at Smartphone Thoughts, has written an excellent article on the new (and updated) Windows Mobile Device Center in Windows Vista. Overall, I would say that the Device Center is a step in the right direction. It has a new look, and is well integrated in Windows Vista, but at the end of the day, it's still similar to ActiveSync in many ways. I certainly hope that as time goes on, we begin to see some updates that transform the way we sync our devices with our computers. You know, something that <i>always</i> works without a hitch. ;)

mybootcom
06-28-2006, 04:43 PM
I've been running the MSDN Vista Build 5384 for a month or two and this new Activesync is not on it. I was kept pecking at Windows Update for days after you first posted about it, hoping that it would come down over update. Nothing. Now you mention you have to be an official Beta2 tester. Boo! :)

If anyone discovers an alternate way to obtain this please share the wealth.

MitchA
06-28-2006, 05:32 PM
A direct link would be nice. Having to wade through adverts on a slooow site just to have a look isnt good. I ended up annoyed that I wasted time looking.

Mybootcom, Im not a official tester and the update came down just fine the day it was released. Id look for other reasons youre not getting it.

Still can't sync Inbox/Calendar/Contacts/Tasks/Notes on Outlook 2007 beta. Its getting to the point of "almost" useable but it's not their yet.

I was just thinking about XP in it's initial public beta release. It was much more stable and feature complete than Vista at a similar point. Does not bode well for Vista IMHO. But it looks purty.... hehe.

Mitch

Darius Wey
06-28-2006, 05:59 PM
A direct link would be nice. Having to wade through adverts on a slooow site just to have a look isnt good. I ended up annoyed that I wasted time looking.

A direct link to what? The article? It's sitting in the first line of the original post. And if you viewed it from the front-page, the link is embedded in the subject title. :?

Janak Parekh
06-28-2006, 06:00 PM
I've been running the MSDN Vista Build 5384 for a month or two and this new Activesync is not on it. I was kept pecking at Windows Update for days after you first posted about it, hoping that it would come down over update. Nothing. Now you mention you have to be an official Beta2 tester. Boo! :)
I think it's highly doubtful you'll see any new features released for any version of Vista pre-beta2. As the OS is still changing significantly, you'd have an unstable experience at best, and at worst it wouldn't work outright.

--janak

MitchA
06-28-2006, 06:34 PM
A direct link would be nice. Having to wade through adverts on a slooow site just to have a look isnt good. I ended up annoyed that I wasted time looking.

A direct link to what? The article? It's sitting in the first line of the original post. And if you viewed it from the front-page, the link is embedded in the subject title. :?

Hmmm, thats odd it wouldnt take me here earlier. This i sjust what I was looking for though, thanks!

I didnt notice of the author was using POP accounts or an exchange server though. All I can get is "Outlook is not configured" and am unable to sync inbox/cal/contacts. Perusing many forums I was told that the POP feature was not complete. Wonder which it is in reality :)

Mitch

mybootcom
06-28-2006, 06:40 PM
I think it's highly doubtful you'll see any new features released for any version of Vista pre-beta2. As the OS is still changing significantly, you'd have an unstable experience at best, and at worst it wouldn't work outright.


Oh I'm running Beta 2 (5384) and I'm getting a significant number of updates - some of which are OS updates and the rest are daily Windows Defender updates. Just no Mobile Device Center yet.

The MSDN copy of Beta 2 is open ended as well so no 2 week limit which I've heard is true of the publicly available one.

edit: I'm running Ultimate Edition. Those of you with the Mobile Device Center - is that what you are running as well?

peterawest
06-28-2006, 10:56 PM
I'm downloading Windows Vista Build 5456 English for x86 as we speak. This is a follow on to the Beta that was released to everyone who wants it.

I'll try and install it in the next day or two, along with the publicly available beta of Office 2007. I'll be looking to see if it even offers these features in that copy.

Kris Kumar
06-29-2006, 03:15 AM
edit: I'm running Ultimate Edition. Those of you with the Mobile Device Center - is that what you are running as well?

I am running Ultimate Edition as well. That is what I used to generate the screenshots. I should have mentioned that in my article. :)

Kris Kumar
06-29-2006, 03:18 AM
I'm downloading Windows Vista Build 5456 English for x86 as we speak. This is a follow on to the Beta that was released to everyone who wants it.

Keep us posted. I am running 5456 right now and I lost the WMDC functionality that I had in the previous version [the one used for the article]. Now I am waiting for a Windows Update to enable the WMDC functionality in 5456. :-(

sapibobo
06-29-2006, 03:18 AM
Dont mean to sound pessimistic, but did the logic of activesync have been repaired? For all those years (even until Active Sync 4.2 beta) it failed to recognize database changes, cannot recognize which numbers had been changed at the latest time and resulted in duplications.

Maybe i just a few that already fed up with the performance of the sync software, especially that deals with PIM data.

Kris Kumar
06-29-2006, 03:23 AM
I didnt notice of the author was using POP accounts or an exchange server though.

I used an Exchange account based Outlook for the article.

Janak Parekh
06-29-2006, 04:54 PM
Oh I'm running Beta 2 (5384) and I'm getting a significant number of updates - some of which are OS updates and the rest are daily Windows Defender updates. Just no Mobile Device Center yet.
Sorry, I can't keep track of Vista builds anymore. :oops: I haven't tried b2 yet (no time :() so I don't know what to say about WMDC availability. Good luck figuring it out.

--janak

bruno.redaelli
07-15-2006, 08:36 AM
Hello. My name is Bruno and I live in Italy, up North, in Milan.
I am a newcomer in Mobile Devices. As a matter of fact I have been waiting for very long time before purchasing any device particularly because of my concerns regarding Internet Connectivity which I know to be very slow using GPRS (only 56 Kbs).
Now I am still waiting to buy because I suppose that possibly there should be a release of Windows Vista for Mobiles. I understand from Mr. Darius Wey article that there will be no specific upgrade to the present Windows Mobile 5 but just an Interface called "Windows Mobile Device Center" instead of a real Windows Vista for Mobiles.
Is this correct? If not please instruct accordingly and clear up my confusion.
Furthermore:
is it wise waiting for WiMax to become a reality or is GPRS is going to be the only standard for very very long time?
Another question:
I have a very good opinion of Motorola products. As I have seen a photo of Motorola Moto Q smartphone (which should be available in Italy before the end of 2006) woud it be wise to perchase it with Windows Mobile 5.0 and GPRS? As far as WiMAX is concerned Motorola has recently signed an agreement with Intel and NextNet .
I would appreciate help and advise or directions of where and how to become better informed.
Thanks to all of you.
[email protected]
Bruno

Darius Wey
07-15-2006, 11:37 AM
Welcome to Pocket PC Thoughts.

Now I am still waiting to buy because I suppose that possibly there should be a release of Windows Vista for Mobiles. I understand from Mr. Darius Wey article that there will be no specific upgrade to the present Windows Mobile 5 but just an Interface called "Windows Mobile Device Center" instead of a real Windows Vista for Mobiles.

There is no Windows Vista for mobile devices. There is a new Windows Mobile version in the making, but it is in no way related to Windows Vista. The Windows Mobile Device Center is just a synchronisation interface in Windows Vista that allows one to connect his/her Pocket PC or Smartphone to a computer.

is it wise waiting for WiMax to become a reality or is GPRS is going to be the only standard for very very long time?

There are still many years before WiMax becomes a standard. It is, however, already a reality, since some countries have already deployed it in urban centres. GPRS isn't the only data connection that mobile devices support. There is the slightly faster EDGE, and then there are a host of 3G technologies as well.

I have a very good opinion of Motorola products. As I have seen a photo of Motorola Moto Q smartphone (which should be available in Italy before the end of 2006) woud it be wise to perchase it with Windows Mobile 5.0 and GPRS?

Users of the Motorola Q have found it to be a very capable and stable device. I wouldn't let any expectations of WiMax support get in the way of your purchasing decision at this present moment. Perhaps in a few years, but definitely not now. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely go ahead with the purchase.