With Windows Mobile 6, Microsoft is finally bringing the hand-held battle to the lawyer's favourite


Back in April, Microsoft launched the next version of its mobile device operating system, Windows Mobile (WM) 6. The Gazette went to the launch, but unlike the consumer-magazine boys, we had just one question for Microsoft: Research In Motion (RIM) owns the legal mobile device market with its BlackBerry, so what could the Redmond giant pull out of the hat to fight back?



Unusually, Microsoft had a couple of good answers. BlackBerrys have always beaten WM devices on security and ease of integration. Generally, Microsoft fights its wars by 'adding value', putting Word and Excel on devices, for example, or allowing for integration with MSN Messenger. RIM, by contrast, goes for the business jugular: no frills, tight Exchange server integration with an overt emphasis on security. So when Microsoft reps told the Gazette they knew this was a problem and they reckoned they now had a solution, we were all ears.



First, WM6 devices, when tied to Exchange Server 2007, can be remotely managed more easily and now wiped remotely. Second, Microsoft has added support for 'rights managed' email and more capability in terms of encryption, as well as enhanced Bluetooth security.



Until now there have not been any devices to try WM6 on, but we have now 'tasted' WM6 on a brand new HTC S710 smartphone and can tentatively confirm some attractive improvements. The calendar in particular has been given a thorough going over, and is now a lot easier to use. As with quite a few new features in WM6, many calendar enhancements link to Exchange Server 2007, making this a necessary corollary upgrade.



Also thrown in is a much-improved Office suite, though why people want to tinker with Excel documents on small devices is a moot point. Two other 'new' features, 'Internet Sharing' and 'Task Manager', are not actually new, just new to the main menu, but it makes them a lot easier to find. As so often with Microsoft software, a seeming enhancement exists to solve an inherent problem. Exiting programs in WM does not actually stop them, so they remain in memory, taking up headspace. Task Manager needs to be there to allow users to shut running programs to clear out memory, so it is at best a workaround. But it is reworked in WM6 and is easier to use.



Lastly, there is Windows Live, which connects far better to Hotmail, for example, and for free. This is a cracking addition to WM6 and, combined with the business enhancements, repositions Microsoft into a more capable place to take on RIM. WM6 is certainly worth a look.