Microsoft Releases Windows Mobile Device Center for Windows Vista

[Darius Wey]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070201-wmdc.jpg" /><br /><br />Microsoft has just released final <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=83d513ea-9df9-4920-af33-3a0e2e4e7beb&DisplayLang=en">32-bit</a> and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6eb8d0aa-bc6b-4864-8ffe-dc26e1d9f843&DisplayLang=en">64-bit</a> versions of the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devicecenter.mspx">Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC)</a> for Windows Vista. The application is a requirement for users wanting to sync their Pocket PC or Smartphone (running Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5.0) with the new OS, so if you're in that boat, get downloading.

[bcre8v2]

FYI.. The link seems to be for Beta3 rather the final version.

-Steve

[EvilOne]

FYI.. The link seems to be for Beta3 rather the final version.

-Steve

The link for the 32bit and 64bit are for the final release.

[Darius Wey]

FYI.. The link seems to be for Beta3 rather the final version.

EvilOne is spot on. Both the 32-bit and 64-bit links in my original post point to the final release.

Microsoft hasn't updated its WMDC page yet, so it's still highlighting Beta 3. You can probably expect it to be refreshed within the next day or two.

[brianchris]

I've must of been out of the loop.....I thought this was built into Vista?? I thought that was the big deal (no more ActiveSync)? What did I miss? Thanks!

[DaleReeck]

Of course the "upgrade" blows away your ActiveSync config, forcing you to redo it. AS keeps getting worse and worse, with fewer and fewer options for the user.

[bkerrins]

You've got to be kidding, if I buy a new laptop with Vista installed, I won't be able to sync with my 'old' computer in the kitchen? One would run XP and need Activesync and one would run Vista and would need Windows Mobile? That just sucks.

[Foo Fighter]

Shouldn't this update be pushed out to Vista clients via Windows Update? I thought that Microsoft had simplified and streamlined software updates such as this? Having to download files from a web page is so 1997. Made all the worse by the page referring to Beta 3. :roll:

[Jason Dunn]

I've must of been out of the loop.....I thought this was built into Vista??

I think it was supposed to be - I had read it was going to be an automatic download when a WM device was connected...but the code wasn't ready it would seem so there's nothing automatic about it for now.

[Down8]

Strange they refer to it as "Windows Mobile Device Center 6".

Wasn't the last AS v4.2?

-bZj

[Jason Dunn]

Strange they refer to it as "Windows Mobile Device Center 6". Wasn't the last AS v4.2?

Never, ever try to make sense of Microsoft's naming schemes. :roll: :lol:

[Kacey Green]

Beta was 5 :wink:





P.S. I'm back again.

Update:
http://www.grlt.com/computing/windows-mobile-device-center-rtm-2007-02-01-153-1.html

[boanerges]

I have about as little success syncing with this version as I did with the beta. I have had Vista RTM since November and I am syncing my TMobile MDA (HTC Wizard). When I sync I get this:
Synchronization could not be completed. See http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=72544.

Haven't had it work once.

[Kacey Green]

I used errors during sync on RTM all the time after my third reinstall, the error is gone (knock on wood)

[BigBadBrahma]

WMDC is a complete flop. If I wanted to sync files, I'd use my $35 USB drive.

I have a HUGE problem with existing MS applications like Money for Pocket PC 2006 NOT being supported. I read a thread from one of the WMDC development folks, and he tried to convince me that they "arduously" worked on "full functionality" and "compatibility".

With WHAT? Text files, .JPG's and music files? Wow! I can be REALLY productive with those...

I might add that Money for Pocket PC 2006 actually worked (sometimes) in WMDC Beta 3 and now not at all. That IS "arduous" work indeed.

MS Money 2007 doesn't sync at ALL. That's "wonderful", but now I understand it probably isn't the Money team's fault- the WMDC team dropped support for it, period. Again, "arduous" work.

So they have;

1. Kept me from upgrading to at least a Mobile 5.0 PPC- ~$500.00
2. Kept me from upgrading Money to 2007 (I've purchased every version they ever made and love it- well, used to)- ~$50.00
3. Made me take a HARD look at where PPC is going- Possibly thousands over time.

I remember when phone calls were a dime, so I'm not interested in being locked into service for a $600+ PPC/Cell phone with a screen half the size of the original Jornada or 3600 series iPAQ. No one I know is really worth carrying a $600 cell phone when a cheap Virgin phone is $20 every other month and costs less than $100.00. But I @#$@#$ need my PPC and it HAS TO BE FUNCTIONAL.

Where did the past few years of college grad developers not learn about mobility?

[Spudley112]

BigBad-

AMEN! I may not feel any special disdain for those who have decided that they can not live without a Smartphone, but I personally feel that a combination of devices is not for me. I would rather have a phone that is just a...well, phone. But. like you I need my Pocket PC. I do not mind having the media ablity, goodness knows it can be fun, but business is the priority.

If they want to do something really nice, they should focus on the needs that mobile users really have instead of the needs that they THINK we need. Also, why don't they quit messing around and look toward creating a PPC with a hard drive so we can enjoy the same memory advantages as so many MP3 players hae had or a while? Work harder to bring the PPC and desktop PC onto the same page. Vista was SUPPOSED to be that step, but one again they missed the mark.