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Smartphone & Pocket PC Jun/Jul 2007 MS Reader - The actual quotation from the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet is "...that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet..." Juliet is saying that she doesn't care what Romeo's name is, all she cares about is who he is.
The big news and major focus of this issue, is Windows Mobile 6?the latest upgrade of Microsoft's OS and software suite for mobile devices. The Romeo and Juliet reference has to do with the fact that, with WM6, Microsoft has decided, yet again, to change the names of Windows Mobile devices. They are now calling anything with a phone in it a Smartphone and anything without a phone a PDA. As far as Microsoft is concerned, the names Pocket PC and Phone Edition device are gone. In Microsoft's new system, what we used to call a Pocket PC is now a PDA running Windows Mobile 6 Classic or Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC software; a Phone Edition device is now a Smartphone running Windows Mobile 6 Professional or Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC Phone Edition, and what we have always called a Smartphone is a Smartphone running Windows Mobile 6 Standard or Windows Mobile 5 for Smartphone. Virtually all of the software written for WM5 Pocket PC and Phone Edition devices will run on WM6 Professional devices?Smartphones with touchscreens. Note also the change in our cover logo, which keeps Pocket PC but now emphasizes the word Smartphone.
The real question is, are the new devices running Windows Mobile 6 roses by another name?do they smell as sweet? To help answer that, we review the WM6 software from both the consumers and enterprise users perspective. We also take an in-depth look at one of the new features of WM6: Windows Live access. As it turns out, this newly renamed rose may actually smell a bit sweeter than the previous one.
Next, we take a brief look at some of the new WM6 devices that have been announced since the 3GSM show last February. None of these were available for a hands-on review as we went to press in late March. But based on photos, descriptions, and comments from members of our Board of Expert Judges, some of these new devices are to die for (but not in the Romeo and Juliet sense).
Another focus of this issue is accessories. Even with wireless carrier discounts, a new Windows Mobile 6 device will cost you a couple hundred dollars. You can protect your investment and get the most out of it with a portable keyboard, Bluetooth headset, external speakers, power adapter, screen protector, and more.
The Enterprise section not only has one of the WM6 software reviews mentioned above, it has an excellent review of Exchange 2007, which describes its features and answers the question: Should you upgrade? Other articles focus on development strategies, education, and retail mobility.
We have a number of other articles covering software, games, tips and tricks, comments from our blogs, news, and more. We end the issue with Publisher Hal Goldstein's comments on Windows Mobile 6, the new devices, and how changes in the industry will influence the coverage of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine.
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