Microsoft officially announced Windows Mobile 6.1 today, also releasing the fact that Sprint plans to update all current Windows Mobile 6 phones to 6.1, which is great news. Particularly because 6.1 has truly useful improvements that will make everyday tasks easier.
Major Improvements from 6.0:
- Getting Started Center
- Get help setting up your new phone—from e-mail to a Bluetooth headset, so you can start using it right away.
- Sliding Panel Home Screen
- The home screen has a whole new look. View notifications and calendar appointments. Go straight to the Getting Started Center and settings. Listen to your favorite music and view your favorite photos.
- Threaded Text Messaging
- When you text with a friend or colleague, the messages are threaded together into a single conversation, so you can view the entire conversation as you type.
- Internet Explorer Mobile Zoom Support
- Zoom in on a Web page to view small text or images.
- Internet Explorer Mobile Page Overview
- View an entire Web page at one time, navigate to a specific segment, and then select that segment for a closer view.
- Cut, Copy, and Paste
- Select and copy text from Web pages in Internet Explorer Mobile. And cut, copy, and paste text in e-mail and messaging.
- Home screen music and photos
- Music can be played/paused and photos can be viewed, all on the homescreen itself
Sprint's press release lists Summer 2008 as the date for updates to existing devices.
