Microsoft Windows Pocket PC Pro Edition 2000 serial key or number

Windows Embedded Compact

Support status

Windows Embedded Compact,^[1] formerly Windows Embedded CE and Windows CE, is an operating system subfamily developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded family of products.*

Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, which is based on Windows NT, Windows Embedded Compact uses a different hybrid kernel.^[2] Microsoft licenses Windows CE to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who can modify and create their own user interfaces and experiences, with Windows CE providing the technical foundation to do so.

The current version of Windows Embedded Compact supports x86 and ARM processors with board support package (BSP) directly.^[3] The MIPS and SHx architectures had support prior to version 7.0.

On every version, changing the view options like showing hidden stuff in the Windows folder will lead you a bunch of stuff. Most of them are just images, while those files are a bunch of system files. The "homelogo" file is used in Internet Explorer Mobile, it can be seen on the home page (it probably appears on 6.0 and lower) and on these versions, it haves the old CE logo that can be customized on the desktop to make it look like a old version.

Features

Windows CE is optimized for devices that have minimal memory; a Windows CE kernel may run with one megabyte of memory.^[4] Devices are often configured without disk storage, and may be configured as a "closed" system that does not allow for end-user extension (for instance, it can be burned into ROM). Windows CE conforms to the definition of a real-time operating system, with a deterministic interrupt latency. From Version 3 and onward, the system supports 256 priority levels^[5] and uses priority inheritance for dealing with priority inversion. The fundamental unit of execution is the thread. This helps to simplify the interface and improve execution time.

The first version known during development under the code name "Pegasus"Template:Snd featured a Windows-like GUI and a number of Microsoft's popular apps, all trimmed down for smaller storage, memory, and speed of the palmtops of the day. Since then, Windows CE has evolved into a component-based, embedded, real-time operating system. It is no longer targeted solely at hand-held computers.^[6] Many platforms have been based on the core Windows CE operating system, including Microsoft's AutoPC, Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003 SE, Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6, Smartphone 2002, Smartphone 2003, Portable Media Center, Zune, Windows Phone and many industrial devices and embedded systems. Windows CE even powered select games for the Dreamcast, was the operating system of the Gizmondo handheld, and can partially run on modified Xbox game consoles.

A distinctive feature of Windows CE compared to other Microsoft operating systems is that large parts of it are offered in source code form. First, source code was offered to several vendors, so they could adjust it to their hardware. Then products like Platform Builder (an integrated environment for Windows CE OS image creation and integration, or customized operating system designs based on CE) offered several components in source code form to the general public. However, a number of core components that do not need adaptation to specific hardware environments (other than the CPU family) are still distributed in binary only form.

Windows Embedded Compact Versions

Windows CE 1.0

Windows CE 2.0

Windows CE 3.0

Windows CE 4.0

Windows CE 5.0

Windows Embedded CE 6.0

Windows Embedded Compact 7

Windows Embedded Compact 2013

History

Windows Embedded Compact was formerly known as Windows CE. According to Microsoft, "CE" is not an explicit acronym for anything, although it implies a number of notions that Windows developers had in mind, such as "compact", "connectable", "compatible", "companion" and "efficient".^[7][8] The name changed once in 2006, with the release of Windows Embedded CE 6.0, and again in 2011, with the release of Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Windows CE was originally announced by Microsoft at the COMDEX expo in 1996 and was demonstrated on stage by Bill Gates and John McGill. Microsoft had been testing Pegasus in early 1995 and released a strict reference platform to several hardware partners. The devices had to have the following minimum hardware specifications:

• SH3, MIPS 3000 or MIPS 4000 CPU
• Minimum of 4 MB of ROM
• Minimum of 2 MB of RAM with a back up power source, such as a CR2032 coin cell battery
• Powered by two AA batteries
• Weigh less than 1lbs
• A physical QWERTY keyboard including Ctrl, Alt and Shift keys
• An LCD display of 480×240 pixels with four shades of gray and two bits per pixel with touchscreen that could be operated by either stylus or finger nail
• An Infrared transceiver
• Serial port
• PC Card slot
• Built in speaker

Devices of the time mainly had 480×240 pixel displays with the exception of the Hewlett-Packard 'Palmtop PC' which had a 640×240 display. Each window took over the full display. Navigation was done by tapping or double tapping on an item. A contextual menu was also available by the user pressing the ALT key and tapping on the screen. Windows CE 1.0 did not include a cascading Start menu unlike Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 did. Microsoft released the Windows CE 1.0 Power Toys that included a cascading menu icon that appeared in the system tray. Also bundled were several other utilities, most notable were a sound applet for the system tray, enabling the user to quickly mute or unmute their device or adjust the volume and a 'pocket' version of Paint.

The release of Windows CE 2.0 was well received. Microsoft learned its lessons from consumer feedback of Windows CE 1.0 and made many improvements to the operating system. The Start menu was a cascading menu, identical to those found on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0. Color screens were also supported and manufacturers raced to release the first color H/PC. The first to market however, was Hewlett Packard with the HP 620LX. Windows CE 2.0 also supported a broader range of CPU architectures. Programs could be also installed directly in the OS by double clicking on CAB files. Due to the nature of the ROMs that contained the operating system, users were not able to flash their devices with the newer operating system. Instead manufacturers released upgrade ROMs that users had to physically install in their devices, after removing the previous version. This would usually wipe the data on the device and present the user with the setup wizard upon first boot.

Development tools

Visual Studio

Microsoft Visual Studio 2012, 2013, and 2015 support apps and Platform Builder development for Windows Embedded Compact 2013.^[9]

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and earlier support projects for older releases of Windows CE/Windows Mobile, producing executable programs and platform images either as an emulator or attached by cable to an actual mobile device. A mobile device is not necessary to develop a CE program. The .NET Compact Framework supports a subset of the .NET Framework with projects in C#, and Visual Basic .NET, but not Managed C++. "Managed" apps employing the .NET Compact Framework also require devices with significantly larger memories (8 MB or more) while unmanaged apps can still run successfully on smaller devices. In Visual Studio 2010, the Windows Phone Developer Tools are used as an extension, allowing Windows Phone 7 apps to be designed and tested within Visual Studio.

Free Pascal and Lazarus

Free Pascal introduced the Windows CE port in Version 2.2.0, targeting ARM and x86 architectures. Later, the Windows CE header files were translated for use with Lazarus, a rapid application development (RAD) software package based on Free Pascal. Windows CE apps are designed and coded in the Lazarus integrated development environment (IDE) and compiled with an appropriate cross compiler.^[10]

Platform Builder

This programming tool is used for building the platform (BSP + Kernel), device drivers (shared source or custom made) and also the apps. This is a one step environment to get the system up and running. One can also use Platform Builder to export an SDK (software development kit) for the target microprocessor (SuperH, x86, MIPS, ARM etc.) to be used with another associated tool set named below.

Others

The EmbeddedVisual C++ (eVC)Template:Snd a tool for development of embedded apps for Windows CE. It can be used standalone using the SDK exported from Platform Builder or using the Platform Builder's Platform Manager connectivity setup.

CodeGearDelphi PrismTemplate:Snd runs in Visual Studio, also supports the .NET Compact Framework and thus can be used to develop mobile apps. It employs the Oxygene compiler created by RemObjects Software, which targets .NET, the .NET Compact Framework, and Mono. Its command-line compiler is available free of charge.

Basic4ppcTemplate:Snd a programming language similar to Visual BasicTemplate:Snd targets the .NET Compact Framework and supports Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices.

GLBasicTemplate:Snd a very easy to learn and use BASIC dialect that compiles for many platforms, including Windows CE and Windows Mobile. It can be extended by writing inline C/C++ code.

LabVIEWTemplate:Snd a graphical programming language, supporting many platforms, including Windows CE.

AutoHotkeyTemplate:Snd a port of the open source macro-creation and automation software utility available for Windows CE. It allows the construction of macros and simple GUI apps developed by systems analyst Jonathan Maxian Timkang.^[11]

Relationship to Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, and SmartPhone

Template:Wide image Often Windows CE, Windows Mobile, and Pocket PC are used interchangeably, in part due to their common origin. This practice is not entirely accurate. Windows CE is a modular/componentized operating system that serves as the foundation of several classes of devices. Some of these modules provide subsets of other components' features (e.g. varying levels of windowing support; DCOM vs COM), others which are separate (Bitmap or TrueType font support), and others which add additional features to another component. One can buy a kit (the Platform Builder) which contains all these components and the tools with which to develop a custom platform. Apps such as Excel Mobile (formerly Pocket Excel) are not part of this kit. The older Handheld PC version of Pocket Word and several other older apps are included as samples, however.

Windows Mobile is best described as a subset of platforms based on a Windows CE underpinning. Currently, Pocket PC (now called Windows Mobile Classic), SmartPhone (Windows Mobile Standard), and Pocket PC Phone Edition (Windows Mobile Professional) are the three main platforms under the Windows Mobile umbrella. Each platform uses different components of Windows CE, plus supplemental features and apps suited for their respective devices.

Pocket PC and Windows Mobile are Microsoft-defined custom platforms for general PDA use, consisting of a Microsoft-defined set of minimum profiles (Professional Edition, Premium Edition) of software and hardware that is supported. The rules for manufacturing a Pocket PC device are stricter than those for producing a custom Windows CE-based platform. The defining characteristics of the Pocket PC are the touchscreen as the primary human interface device and its extremely portable size.

CE v3.0 is the basis for Pocket PC 2002. A successor to CE v3.0 is CE.net.^[12] "PocketPC [is] a separate layer of code on top of the core Windows CE OS... Pocket PC is based on Windows CE, but it's a different offering." And licensees of Pocket PC are forbidden to modify the WinCE part.^[13]

The SmartPhone platform is a feature-rich OS and interface for cellular phone handsets. SmartPhone offers productivity features to business users, such as email, and multimedia abilities for consumers. The SmartPhone interface relies heavily on joystick navigation and PhonePad input. Devices running SmartPhone do not include a touchscreen interface. SmartPhone devices generally resemble other cellular handset form factors, whereas most Phone Edition devices use a PDA form factor with a larger display.

Releases

Windows Mobile is a discontinued family of mobile operating systems developed by Microsoft for smartphones and Pocket PCs.^[1]

Its origin dated back to Windows CE in 1996, though Windows Mobile itself first appeared in 2000 as Pocket PC 2000. It was renamed "Windows Mobile" in 2003, at which point it came in several versions (similar to the desktop versions of Windows) and was aimed at business and enterprise consumers. When initially released in the mid-2000s, it was to be the portable equivalent of what Windows desktop OS was: a major force in the then-emerging mobile/portable areas. But its popularity—always at the low end of the market—never equalled (let alone surpassed) that of the two major mobile OSs (iOS and Android), and faded rapidly in the following years. By February 2010, facing competition primarily from rival mobile OSs, Microsoft announced Windows Phone to supersede Windows Mobile. As a result, Windows Mobile has been deprecated. Windows Phone is incompatible with Windows Mobile devices and software.^[2][3][4] The last version of Windows Mobile, released after the announcement of Windows Phone, was 6.5.5. After this, Microsoft ceased development on Windows Mobile in order to concentrate on Windows Phone.

Features[edit]

Most versions of Windows Mobile have a standard set of features, such as multitasking and the ability to navigate a file system similar to that of Windows 9x and Windows NT, including support for many of the same file types. Similarly to its desktop counterpart, it comes bundled with a set of applications that perform basic tasks. Internet Explorer Mobile is the default web browser, and Windows Media Player is the default media player used for playing digital media. The mobile version of Microsoft Office, is the default office suite.

Internet Connection Sharing, supported on compatible devices, allows the phone to share its Internet connection with computers via USB and Bluetooth. Windows Mobile supports virtual private networking over PPTP protocol. Most devices with mobile connectivity also have a Radio Interface Layer. The Radio Interface Layer provides the system interface between the Cell Core layer within the Windows Mobile OS and the radio protocol stack used by the wireless modem hardware. This allows OEMs to integrate a variety of modems into their equipment.

The user interface changed dramatically between versions, only retaining similar functionality. The Today Screen, later called the Home Screen, shows the current date, owner information, upcoming appointments, e-mails, and tasks. The taskbar display the current time as well as the volume level. Devices with a cellular radio also show the signal strength on said taskbar.

History[edit]

An Alpha build of WinPad in the early days of development showing off stylus compatibility

Windows Mobile is based on the Windows CEkernel and first appeared as the Pocket PC 2000 operating system. It includes a suite of basic applications developed with the Microsoft Windows API, and is designed to have features and appearance somewhat similar to desktop versions of Windows. It allowed third party developers to develop software for Windows Mobile with no restrictions imposed by Microsoft. Software applications were purchasable from Windows Marketplace for Mobile during the service's lifespan.

Most early Windows Mobile devices came with a stylus, which can be used to enter commands by tapping it on the screen.^[5] The primary touch input technology behind most devices were resistive touchscreens which often required a stylus for input. Later devices used capacitive sensing which does not require a stylus. Along with touchscreens, a large variety of form factors existed for the platform. Some devices featured slideout keyboards, while others featured minimal face buttons.

Windows CE[edit]

Microsoft's work on handheld portable devices began with research projects in 1990, with the work on Windows CE beginning in 1992.^[6] Initially, the OS and the user interface were developed separately. With Windows CE being based on Windows 95 code and a separate team handing the user interface which was codenamed WinPad (later Microsoft At Work for Handhelds).^[6] Windows 95 had strong pen support making porting easy; with some saying "At this time, Windows 95 offers outstanding pen support. It is treating pens right for the first time."^[7] WinPad was delayed due to price and performance issues,^[8] before being scrapped in early 1995 due to touchscreen driver problems relating to WriteTouch technology, made by NCR Microelectronic Products.^[7] Although WinPad was never released as a consumer product, Alpha builds were released showcasing many interface elements.^[9] During development of WinPad a separate team worked on a project called Pulsar; designed to be a mobile communications version of WinPad, described as a "pager on Steroids".^[6] This project was also canceled around the same time as WinPad. The two disbanded groups would form the Pegasus project in 1995. Pegasus would work on the hardware side of the Windows CE OS, attempting to create a form factor similar to a PC-esque PDA like WinPad, with communications functionality like Pulsar. A hardware reference guide was created and devices began shipping in 1996, although most of these device bore little resemblance to the goal of a pen-based touchscreen handheld device.^[10]

Pocket PC 2000[edit]

Pocket PC 2000 Today Screen

Pocket PC 2000, originally codenamed "Rapier",^[11] was released on April 19, 2000, and was based on the Windows CE 3.0 kernel.

It was the debut of what was later dubbed the Windows Mobile operating system, and meant to be a successor to the operating system aboard Palm-Size PCs. It retained backwards compatibility with such Palm-Size PC applications. Pocket PC 2000 was intended mainly for Pocket PC devices; however, several Palm-Size PC devices had the ability to be updated also. While, several Pocket PC 2000 phones were released, Microsoft's smartphone hardware platform was not yet created. The only resolution supported by this release was 240×320 (QVGA). Removable storage card formats that were supported were CompactFlash and MultiMediaCard. At this time Pocket PC devices had not been standardized with a specific CPU architecture. As a result, Pocket PC 2000 was released on multiple CPU architectures; SH-3, MIPS, and ARM. Infrared (IR) File beaming capability was among the original hardware features.

The original Pocket PC operating system had similar appearance to Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 operating systems. Pocket PC 2000 is unsupported as of September 10, 2007.

This initial release had multiple built-in applications,^[12] many of them similarly branded to match their desktop counterparts; such as Microsoft Reader, Microsoft Money, Pocket Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. A version of Microsoft Office called Pocket Office was also bundled and included Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Outlook. Notes, a note-taking app saw its first release and would be supported by most later versions of Windows Mobile. Intelligent character recognition support allowed Notes to distinguish styles of handwriting to be learned by the OS during processing to improve accuracy and recognition levels.

Pocket PC 2002[edit]

Pocket PC 2002 Today Screen

Pocket PC 2002, originally codenamed "Merlin",^[11] was released in October 2001, and like Pocket PC 2000, was based on the Windows CE 3.0 kernel.

Although targeted mainly for 240×320 (QVGA) Pocket PC devices, Pocket PC 2002 was also used for Pocket PC phones, and for the first time, smartphones.^[13] These Pocket PC 2002 Smartphones were mainly GSM devices. With future releases, the Pocket PC and Smartphone lines would increasingly collide as the licensing terms were relaxed allowing OEMs to take advantage of more innovative, individual design ideas. Aesthetically, Pocket PC 2002 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows XP. Newly added or updated programs include^{[14][15][16][17]}Windows Media Player 8 with streaming capability; MSN Messenger, and Microsoft Reader 2, with Digital rights management support. Upgrades to the bundled version of Office Mobile include a spell checker and word count tool in Pocket Word and improved Pocket Outlook. Connectivity was improved with file beaming on non-Microsoft devices such as Palm OS, the inclusion of Terminal Services and Virtual private networking support, and the ability to synchronize folders. Other upgrades include an enhanced UI with theme support and savable downloads and WAP in Pocket Internet Explorer.

Windows Mobile 2003[edit]

Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Today Screen

Originally called Pocket PC 2003 but later renamed Windows Mobile 2003, originally codenamed "Ozone",^[11] was released on June 23, 2003, was based on the Windows CE 4.x kernel, and was the first release under the Windows Mobile banner.

It came in four editions: "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Premium Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Professional Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone" and "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition". The last was designed especially for Pocket PCs which include phone functionalities. The Professional Edition was used in Pocket PC budget models. It lacked a number of features that were in the Premium Edition, such as a client for L2TP/IPsec VPNs. Windows Mobile 2003 was powered by Windows CE 4.20.

Communications interface were enhanced with Bluetooth device management, which allowed for Bluetooth file beaming support, Bluetooth headset support and support for Bluetooth add-on keyboards. A pictures application with viewing, cropping, e-mail, and beaming support was added. Multimedia improvements included MIDI file support as ringtones in Phone Edition and Windows Media Player 9.0 with streaming optimization. A puzzle game titled Jawbreaker is among the preinstalled programs. GAPI was included with this release to facilitate the development of games for the platform.^[18]

Other features/built-in applications included the following:^[19] enhanced Pocket Outlook with vCard and vCal support, improved Pocket Internet Explorer and SMS reply options for Phone Edition.

Windows Mobile 2003 SE[edit]

Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, also known as "Windows Mobile 2003 SE", was released on March 24, 2004, was based on the Windows CE 4.x kernel, and first offered on the DellAxim x30. This was the last version which allowed users to back up and restore an entire device through ActiveSync.

This upgrade allows users to switch between portrait and landscape modes and introduces a single-column layout in Pocket Internet Explorer. It includes support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and new screen resolutions: 640×480 (VGA), 240×240, and 480×480.

Windows Mobile 5[edit]

Windows Mobile 5.0 Today Screen

Windows Mobile 5.0, originally codenamed "Magneto",^[11] was released at Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference 2005 in Las Vegas, May 9–12, 2005, and was based on the Windows CE 5.0 kernel.

Microsoft offered mainstream support for Windows Mobile 5 through October 12, 2010, and extended support through October 13, 2015.^[20] It was first offered on the Dell Axim x51. It used the .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP3, an environment for programs based on .NET. Windows Mobile 5.0 included Microsoft Exchange Server "push" functionality improvements that worked with Exchange 2003 SP2.^[21] The "push" functionality also required vendor/device support.^[22] With AKU2 software upgrades all WM 5.0 devices supported DirectPush.

Other features included an enhanced battery-saving capability called persistent storage capability. Previously up to 50% (enough for 72 hours of storage) of battery power was reserved just to maintain data in volatile RAM. This continued the trend of Windows-based devices moving from using RAM as their primary storage medium to the use of a combination of RAM and flash memory (in use, no distinction between the two is obvious to users). Programs and frequently accessed data run in RAM, while most storage is in the flash memory. The OS seamlessly moves data between the two as needed. Everything is backed up in the flash memory, so unlike prior devices, WM5 devices lose no data if power is lost. New to 5.0, OS updates were released as adaptation kit upgrades, with AKU 3.5 being the final released.

Windows Mobile 5 comes with Microsoft Office Mobile which includes PowerPoint Mobile, Excel Mobile with graphing capability and Word Mobile with the ability to insert tables and graphics. Media management and playback was enhanced with Picture and Video package, which converged the management of videos and pictures and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Among new hardware features were enhanced Bluetooth support, default QWERTY keyboard-support and a management interface for Global Positioning System (GPS). Improvements were made to ActiveSync 4.2 with 15% increased synchronization speed. Business customers benefited from a new error reporting facility similar to that present in desktop and server Windows systems. Caller ID now supports photos so a user can apply an image to each contact to show when a call is received. DirectShow was also natively added. This release was the first to include DirectDraw with hardware acceleration, replacing the deprecated graphics component of GAPI.^[18]

Windows Mobile 5.0 requires at least 64 MB of ROM (it's advisable to have 64 MB of RAM), and the device must run an ARM compatible processor such as the Intel XScale or the Samsung and Texas Instruments ARM compatibles.^[23]

Windows Mobile 6[edit]

Windows Mobile 6, formerly codenamed "Crossbow",^[11] was released on February 12, 2007^[24] at the 3GSM World Congress 2007, and was based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel.

It comes in three different versions: "Windows Mobile 6 Standard" for Smartphones (phones without touchscreens), "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" for Pocket PCs with phone functionality, and "Windows Mobile 6 Classic" for Pocket PCs without cellular radios.^[25]

Windows Mobile 6 is powered by Windows CE 5.0 (version 5.2) and is strongly linked to the then newly introduced Windows Live^[26] and Exchange 2007 products. Windows Mobile 6 Standard was first offered on the Orange's SPV E650,^[27] while Windows Mobile 6 Professional was first offered on the O2's Xda Terra.^[28] Aesthetically, Windows Mobile 6 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows Vista. Functionally, it works much like Windows Mobile 5, but with much better stability.

Along with the announcement of Office Mobile 6.1^[29] with support for Office 2007 document formats (pptx, docx, xlsx); OneNote Mobile, a companion to Microsoft Office OneNote was added to the already installed version. In addition to the newly included programs with Office Mobile improvements were made to existing applications. Such as HTML email support in Outlook Mobile. A large number of Windows Mobile users are enterprise users business environments were targeted. With Server Search on Microsoft Exchange 2007, Out of Office Replies with Microsoft Exchange 2007, and search ability for contacts in an Exchange Server Address Book being implemented. To aid development for programmers, .NET Compact Framework v2 SP2 is now preinstalled with the OS. Developers and users also have access to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition for storage and retrieval of information. AJAX, JavaScript, and XMLDOM support were added to Internet Explorer Mobile along with improved devicewide Internet Sharing. Communication abilities were further enhanced with a new Microsoft Bluetooth Stack and VoIP (Internet calling) support with AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancelling) and MSRT audio codec.

To improve security Microsoft added Storage Card Encryption so that encryption keys are lost if device is cold-booted. Further updates both, security and feature, can now also be provided using Operating System Live Update^[30]

Among other improvements:^[31] 320×320 and 800×480 (WVGA) screen resolution support (The S01SH or "Em One" by Sharp was the first and only device to have an 800×480 screen on WM5),^[32] Improved Remote Desktop access^[33] (available for only certain Pocket PCs),^[34] Customer Feedback option,^[35]Smartfilter for searching within programs and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) support for select operators

Windows Mobile 6.1[edit]

Windows Mobile 6.1 Today Screen

Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced April 1, 2008, and was based on the Windows CE 5.x kernel.

It is a minor upgrade to the Windows Mobile 6 platform with various performance enhancements and a redesigned Home screen featuring horizontal tiles that expand on clicking to display more information, although this new home screen is featured only on Windows Mobile Standard edition. This was not supported in the Professional edition.^[36] Several other changes such as threaded SMS, full page zooming in Internet Explorer and 'Domain Enroll' were also added, along with a "mobile" version of the Microsoft OneNote program and an interactive "Getting Started" wizard. Domain Enroll is functionality to connect the device to System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a product to manage mobile devices.^[37] Windows Mobile 6.1 also had improved bandwidth efficiency in its push-email protocol ActiveSync up to 40%;^[38] this considerably improved battery life in many devices.

Aside from the visual and feature distinctions, the underlying CE versions can be used to differentiate WM 6.0 from WM 6.1. The version of Windows CE in WM 6.0 is 5.2.*, where the third and final number being a four-digit build ID (e.g. 5.2.1622 on HTC Wing). In WM 6.1, the CE version is 5.2.* with a five-digit build number (e.g. 5.2.19216 on Palm Treo 800w).

Windows Mobile 6.5[edit]

Windows Mobile 6.5 Today Screen

Windows Mobile 6.5 was based on the Windows CE 5.x kernel.

Windows Mobile 6.5 was a stopgap update to Windows Mobile 6.1 intended to bridge the gap between version 6.1 and the then yet-to-be released Windows Mobile 7 (Later canceled in favor of Windows Phone 7), that arrived in 2010. It was never part of Microsoft's mobile phone roadmap, and has been described by its chief executive, Steve Ballmer, as "not the full release Microsoft wanted" until the multi-touch-enabled Windows Mobile 7 (now replaced by Windows Phone) arrived in 2010.^[39] Ballmer also indicated that the company "screwed up with Windows Mobile", he lamented that Windows Mobile 7 was not yet available and that the Windows Mobile team needed to try to recoup losses.^[40] Microsoft unveiled this version at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in February,^[41] and several devices were supplied with it.^[42] It was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009; the first devices running the operating system appeared in late October 2009.^[43] Several phones that officially shipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 can be officially updated to Windows Mobile 6.5.^[44] This update includes some significant new added features, such as a revamped GUI, a new Today screen resembling that of Microsoft's Zune player with vertically scrollable labels (called 'Titanium').^[45] WM 6.5 also includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, with improved interface.^[46]

Along with Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announced several cloud computing services codenamed "SkyBox", "SkyLine", "SkyMarket".^[47] "SkyBox" has been confirmed as My Phone,^[48] while "SkyMarket" has been confirmed as Windows Marketplace for Mobile.^[49] This version was designed mainly for easier finger usage.^[50] Some reviewers have noted interface inconsistencies, with some applications having small buttons making them harder to operate using only a finger.^[51] Whilst this version of Windows Mobile does not natively support capacitive screens, mobile manufacturers have been able to use them on their devices^[52]

In the months following this release, development shifted from Windows Mobile to its successor Windows Phone. As such no major upgrades were planned or released, although three minor updates; 6.5.1, 6.5.3 and 6.5.5; were made to satisfy consumers during the transition period. 6.5.1 brings larger user interface elements,^[53] including icon based soft buttons (rather than text based),^[54] an updated contacts app,^[55] native support for A-GPS,^[53] improved threaded text messaging,^[56] and performance improvements.^[57] It was unofficially ported to several Windows Mobile phones.^[58]

The second minor update was announced on February 2, 2010, along with the Sony Ericsson Aspen which was the first phone to use this version.^[59] 6.5.3 continues the trend of attempting to provide a more finger-friendly user interface with several new usability features such as native support for multitouch; although device maker HTC Corporation created proprietary work-arounds to allow multi-touch to work on some applications it installed on its HD2 handset (However, Microsoft applications on this handset, such as the Internet Explorer web browser, did not support multi-touch.^[60]) and drag-and-drop start menu icons. Touchable tiles replaced soft keys."^[61] Internet Explorer Mobile 6 has also received some major updates including decreased page load time, improved memory management and gesture smoothing.^[62] As with other updates it was unofficially ported to some other devices. Additional features include threaded email and Office Mobile 2010.^[63]

The last minor update and the last released version is 6.5.5. It first leaked in January 2010, and was unofficially ported to some Windows Mobile phones.^[64] The name Windows Mobile 6.5.5 has been applied to these newer builds, although this name remained unconfirmed by Microsoft.

Although Microsoft released a similarly-named Windows 10 Mobile in 2015, this operating system is unrelated to the former Windows Mobile operating systems.

Hardware[edit]

There are three main versions of Windows Mobile for various hardware devices:^[65]

Windows Mobile for Automotive and Windows Mobile software for Portable Media Centers are among some specialty versions of the platform.

Microsoft had over 50 handset partners,^[66] when Windows Mobile was still being shipped on new devices. 80% of the 50 million Windows Mobile devices that were made from launch to February 2009 were built by one contract manufacturing group, HTC, which makes handsets for several major companies under their brands, and under its own brand.^[67]

Embedded Handheld[edit]

On January 10, 2011, Microsoft announced Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5. The operating system has compatibility with Windows Mobile 6.5 and is presented as an enterprise handheld device, targeting retailers, delivery companies, and other companies that rely on handheld computing. Unlike Windows Phone, Windows Embedded Handheld retains backward compatibility with legacy Windows Mobile applications.^[68]

Pocket PCs[edit]

Pocket PCs and personal digital assistants were originally the intended platform for Windows Mobile. These were grouped into two main categories: devices that lacked mobile phone capabilities, and those that included it. Beginning with version 6 devices with this functionality ran "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" and those that lacked it ran "Windows Mobile 6 Classic". Microsoft had described these devices as "a handheld device that enables you to store and retrieve e-mail, contacts, appointments, play multimedia files, games, exchange text messages with MSN Messenger, browse the Web, and more".^[69] From a technical standpoint Microsoft also specified various hardware and software requirements such as the inclusion of a touchscreen and a directional pad or touchpad.

Smartphones[edit]

Smartphones were the second hardware platform after Pocket PC to run Windows Mobile, and debuted with the release of Pocket PC 2002. Although in the broad sense of the term "Smartphone", both Pocket PC phones and Microsoft branded Smartphones each fit into this category. Microsoft's use of the term "Smartphone" includes only more specific hardware devices that differ from Pocket PC phones. Such Smartphones were originally designed without touchscreens, intended to be operated more efficiently with only one hand, and typically had lower display resolution than Pocket PCs. Microsoft's focus for the Smartphone platform was to create a device that functioned well as a phone and data device in a more integrated manner.^[70]

Market share[edit]

Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market grew from its inception while new devices were being released. After peaking in 2007,^[72] it saw decline year-on-year.

In Q1 2003, Windows Mobile was the third largest operating system in the smart handheld market, behind Symbian and Palm OS.^[73]

In Q1 2004, Windows Mobile accounted for 23% of worldwide smartphone sales.^[74] Windows Mobile was projected in 2005 to overtake Symbian to become the leading mobile OS by 2010.^[75] In Q3 2004, Windows Mobile (CE) surpassed Palm OS to become the largest PDA operating system.^[76]

In Q4 2005 Microsoft shipped 2.2 million PDAs, which increased to 3.5 million in the same quarter the following year.^[77] Windows Mobile saw year over year growth between 2005 and 2006 of 38.8% which according to Gartner "helped Windows Mobile to solidify its stronghold on the market".^[77]

But by 2008, its share had dropped to 14%.^[78] Microsoft licensed Windows Mobile to four out of the world's five largest mobile phone manufacturers, with Nokia being the exception.^[79]

Gartner research data showed that while the total smartphone industry grew 27% between 2008 and 2009, Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market fell 2.7% in that same period.^[80] It also^[80] decreased by 20% in Q3 2009.^[81] At one time Windows Mobile was the most popular handset for business use,^{[citation needed]} but by 2009 this was no longer the case; 24% of planned business deployments of mobile application in the United States were for Windows Mobile, putting it in 3rd place, behind BlackBerry (61%) and iPhone OS (27%);^[82]

In February 2009, Microsoft signed a deal with the third largest mobile phone maker, LG Electronics, to license Windows Mobile OS on 50 upcoming LG smartphone models.^[83] But in September 2009, Palm, Inc. announced it would drop Windows Mobile from its smartphone line-up.^[84] Gartner estimated that by the third quarter of 2009 Windows Mobile's share of worldwide smartphone sales was 7.9%.^[81] By August 2010, it was the least popular smartphone operating system, with a 5% share of the worldwide smartphone market (after Symbian, BlackBerry OS, Android and iOS).^[85] An October 2009 report in DigiTimes said that Acer will shift its focus from Windows Mobile to Google Android.^[86]The New York Times reported in 2009 that Windows Mobile "is foundering", as cellphone makers desert it in favor of Google's Android phone platform.^[87] It cited the difficulties in Microsoft's business model, which involves charging handset manufacturers up to $25 for each copy of Windows Mobile, while rival Google gives away Android for free.^[88] From late 2009 analysts and media reports began to express concerns about the future viability of the Windows Mobile platform, and whether Microsoft would keep supporting it into the future.^[89][90][91]Samsung announced in November 2009 that it would phase out the Windows Mobile platform,^[92] to concentrate on its own Bada operating system, Google's Android, and Microsoft's Windows Phone.^[93]

Software development[edit]

Software may be developed by third parties for the Windows Mobile operating system. Developers have several options for deploying mobile applications. These include writing native code with Visual C++, managed code that works with the .NET Compact Framework, writing code in Tcl-Tk with eTcl,^[94] GCC using CeGCC,^[95]Python using PythonCE or server-side code that can be deployed using Internet Explorer Mobile or a mobile client on a user's device. The .NET Compact Framework is a subset of the .NET Framework and hence shares many components with software development on desktop clients, application servers, and web servers which have the .NET Framework installed, thus integrating networked computing space.^[96]

To aid developers Microsoft released software development kits (SDKs) that work in conjunction with their Visual Studio development environment. These SDKs include emulator images for developers to test and debug their applications while writing them. Software can be tested on a client machine directly or be downloaded to a device. Microsoft also distributes Visual Studio 2008 / 2005 Professional Editions, and server/database counterparts to students as downloads free of charge via its DreamSpark program.^[97] Third party integrated development environments can also be used to write software such as Lazarus, Resco MobileForms Toolkit,^[98]Lexico, NS Basic and Basic4ppc. Some third party development environments allow coding to be done on the device itself without the need for a computer.^[99]

Developer communities have used the SDK to port later versions of Windows Mobile OS to older devices and making the OS images available for free, thus providing the devices with the current feature set. Microsoft has tolerated this procedure for some time but decided in February 2007 to ask developers to take their OS images off the net, which in turn raised discussions.^[100] At the same time Microsoft offered upgrades to Windows Mobile 6 versions to manufacturers for free.^[101]

On July 5, 2009, Microsoft opened a third-party application distribution service called Windows Marketplace for Mobile.^[102] In 2011, Windows Marketplace for Mobile stopped accepting new admissions.^[103] and then fully closed on May 9, 2012.^[2]

Connectivity[edit]

In the early years of Windows Mobile devices were able to be managed and synced from a remote computer using ActiveSync; a data synchronization technology and protocol developed by Microsoft, originally released in 1996. This allowed servers running Microsoft Exchange Server, or other third party variants, to act as a personal information manager and share information such as email, calendar appointments, contacts or internet favorites.

With the release of Windows Vista, ActiveSync was replaced with Windows Mobile Device Center. Device Center is included with Vista and Windows 7 and provides many front end enhancements, allowing a home user to sync PIM information with Microsoft Outlook 2003 and later, photos from Windows Photo Gallery, videos or music from Windows Media Player and favorites with Internet Explorer; without the need for a server back end. Devices at this time also included a base driver compatible with Mobile Device Center so a user can connect to a computer without a need for any configuration.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 7, 2000 — At each stop in a busy day, visiting nurses and doctors care for seriously ill patients whose home-based care allows them to remain outside the hospital. But at the end of that day, these health-care providers and their bosses face a pile of paperwork back at the office: the patients’ updated charts; checklists to assure that each patient’s unique needs are being met; billing forms; and tracking data needed to keep the home-care agency’s certification.

“These health-care providers are literally documenting thousands of items of data over the course of the day,”
said Mark Braunstein, MD, chairman and CEO of Patient Care Technologies Inc. (PtCT). And if those data aren’t up-to-date and accessible, there are more than bureaucratic reasons for concern — because a doctor whose patient has a nighttime crisis won’t have all the information needed to provide the best possible treatment.

That’s why PtCT developed a Windows CE-based system of entering and updating patient data for home care agencies — and why Braunstein is looking forward to the introduction of Microsoft’s Handheld PC 2000 this month.

PtCT’s current data-monitoring system consists of Handheld PCs based on Windows CE, devices small enough that they don’t create a psychological wall between patient and care provider. Using pen-and-touch screen technology, doctors and nurses can quickly document every patient encounter as it occurs.

At the office later, they upload the information to the agency’s central files, keeping the myriad forms updated daily. The system already accounts for half of all computerized data-tracking systems used by U.S. home-care agencies, Braunstein said.

So, when he looks at the fourth generation of H/PCs, announced Sept. 7, Braunstein is looking for even greater functionality for the nurses and doctors using PtCT’s system. Handheld PC 2000, based on Windows CE 3.0, the latest version of the Microsoft real-time embedded operating system for small footprint and mobile devices, provides those improvements by including:

• A package of features that will make it possible for home health-care providers to update patient charts easily while on — the go. These include wireless data transmission with a cell phone and a Socket digital phone card; and automatic synchronization of device and office files via ActiveSync software.

• An Internet Explorer 4.0-compatible browser for dial-up access to ISPs and corporate networks, allowing care providers to check details such as drug interactions or public health alerts via the Internet.

• Alternatively, storage of such memory-gobbling information within the H/PC itself, using an available CompactFlash card that will hold up to 1 gigabyte of data.

• Location of all essential software for the H/PC 2000 on a silicon chip inside the device. This allows the H/PC to be switched on and off instantly, and it also speeds up basic functions.

• Battery life of up to 15 hours (half that if wireless remote connections are used), making it possible for nurses and doctors to go all day without worrying about a battery recharge.

• A keyboard that is large enough to use for email and for Pocket versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

• Thin client technology, to let users work on files stored on desktop PCs back at the office by using the server’s computing power — allowing the Handheld PC to operate faster.

Braunstein said his firm will explore how to use the new H/PC 2000 capabilities to improve its home-care data systems. Of particular interest, he said, will be the ability for doctors and nurses to transfer data throughout the day while maintaining adequate battery life.

“Six to eight hours of battery life while still using a wireless modem is good,”
he said.

In addition, there is a new federal law requiring health-care providers to ensure the privacy of medical information transmitted electronically, so the H/PC 2000 chip’s inclusion of CryptoAPI also is attractive, Braunstein said. CryptoAPI will allow users to install their chosen encryption technology on the devices.

Braunstein said such features show Microsoft’s commitment to making Windows CE the operating system of choice for a wide range of mobile devices for specialty business use, known as
“enterprise”
applications.

Doug Dedo, group product manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Devices Division, said perceptions — not reality — have governed attitudes toward the success of Handheld PCs. This is largely because these devices have been and will continue to be under the public radar, he added.

“There are an awful lot of erroneous perceptions around all of this,”
Dedo said.
”
But the key reason why people have these perceptions is because the Handheld PC is not a consumer product, so people don’t see it out on the streets being used.

“It’s a professional product, for people providing in-home health care, or going out and fixing air conditioning units,”
he added.
“So when you don’t see them on every corner or being pulled out in every meeting, people think they aren’t successful.”

Already, 80 percent of the applications in which Handheld PCs are used involve replacement of paper-based business processes, Dedo said. The other 20 percent are used where people need a mobile computing device without a laptop’s bulkiness or the limitations of a Pocket PC’s smaller screen.

Inspectors on factory floors are typical of the Handheld PC user at whom Microsoft and its hardware partners will be aiming H/PC 2000 devices, Dedo said. They need a rugged, mobile device for electronic data collection — usually to replace paper forms — but don’t need the full functionality of a laptop.

H/PC 2000 units will allow an inspector to catalog problems and transmit the information via a wired or wireless LAN immediately, he said. Because there are so many desktop-like features on the H/PC 2000, though, the inspector won’t be limited to just filling out a trouble-report form.

“He’ll be able to write up a problem on the necessary form, take a picture of it, attach it to the problem report, attach it all to email and insert it into a database so action can be tracked,”
Dedo said.

The new Handheld PC 2000 will be the core of a nationwide grocery-store restocking system being developed by MarketOrder, which previously used DOS devices with more limited capabilities.

Users of the new system will be able to use barcodes to scan items on which a store is running low, and order them for same-day delivery over the Internet without leaving the store aisle. Being demonstrated at three trade shows this month, MarketOrder’s device also will be equipped with bSquare’s bInTouch software. This, in effect, turns the unit into a walkie-talkie for instantly communication with co-workers or the office.

“Retailers are very excited about this, partly because it’s free to them and partly because it should be very easy for their employees to pick up and start using right away,”
said Stephen Bemis, vice president of worldwide sales for MarketOrder.

“It empowers the employees at the point of decision and packs into a Handheld PC all the knowledge they need to make correct decisions on the spot,”
Bemis said.
“It parlays the thought process all the way down the management structure to the person on the store floor, and the more you can do that, the better a business will operate.”

This is the kind of functionality that certain mobile computer users need, Dedo said.

“You’re not replacing a laptop — you’re filling a gap,”
he said.
”
There’s no one ü
ber alles device. We believe there’s a place for everything from a smart phone through Pocket PCs through Handheld PCs and right up to the laptop and desktop PC.”