Microsoft Tweaks Honeycomb UI

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/03/feedback-causes-changes-to-windows-mobile-65-honeycomb-ui.ars' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/ne...oneycomb-ui.ars</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"While the layout remains the same and the icons are in the exact same place, they have been enlarged and the actual honeycomb outline (hexagons around each icon) is gone. Furthermore, scrolling up or down no longer means going all the way to the top or all the way to the bottom: the second the finger leaves the screen, scrolling will stop."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/ppct/auto/1237537648.usr2.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>You're either going to love or hate the changes made to Windows Mobile 6.5's honeycomb UI. If you've forgotten what the previous version looked like, take a gander at our <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/news/show/92572/1/1/2" target="_blank">screenshot thread</a> posted back in February. Now, looking at the image above, you'll notice that the latest version no longer sports hexagonal outlines, yet the hexagonal layout remains. It's a double-edged sword, because while visual clutter has been reduced, it becomes less apparent to uninformed users that these zigzagging rows actually represent a hexagonal layout, in addition to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/news/show/92777/windows-mobile-6-5-s-honeycomb-layout-explained.html" target="_blank">why it was adopted</a>, prompting them to question whether such <a href="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/703648-post3.html" target="_blank">ocular trauma</a> is really necessary.</p><p>That aside, Microsoft has made noticeable usability and performance tweaks to Windows Mobile 6.5 on the whole. It's definitely looking smoother and shinier than ever before.</p>

[Ed Hansberry]

There is a 65 minute video that shows this (and more) at http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/20/video-windows-mobile-6-5-now-with-less-honeycomb/ - it requires Silverlight.

[Adan Galvan]

I watched most of the video (focusing on the demos) and it really looks like they have focused on stability/speed. Besides the obvious gaffs they had with regard to the internet connection, it looked very good.

I know there are flaws and that the operating system is based on old technology, but if they can speed it up, make it more stable, and make it a little prettier, I'll be content until WM7 comes along (it looks like they are well on their way to acheiving these goals).

I've looked/tried all of the competition and I really like Windows Mobile. Now if we can only get some great hardware I'd be all set!

On a side note, did anyone see that response by Balmer regarding capacitive touch screens? He basically said that capacitive touch screens are too expensivem, and that it why WM is still using resistive. What a cop out!

[jdmichal]

I really wish they would have kept the hex outlines. Without them, my eyes keep wanting to go directly across in a grid, but then having the one offset by half a space throws me off.

[TTown]

I really wish they would have kept the hex outlines. Without them, my eyes keep wanting to go directly across in a grid, but then having the one offset by half a space throws me off.

I agree. The lines look better. People were not arguing about the lines, they were arguing about the layout. So they remove the lines and keep the layout? Oh well. I haven't watched the video yet, but I like the fact that stability and speed are important to them.

[Phillip Dyson]

Any update on when 6.5 will be released?

[superrrguy]

What a ridiculously bad idea.

Are they doing anything with the default windows mobile dialer? The buttons are too tiny. I'd take anything as an improvement over what they have currently. Even the honeycombs.

[Darius Wey]

Any update on when 6.5 will be released?

All signs point to the second half of this year.

[jdmichal]

All signs point to the second half of this year.

I don't know... The tea leaves were kind of ambiguous.

[radu.motisan]

I don't like it.

And what's with this black UI fashion? I still have a color display!

just my thoughts..