With version 6.1 Microsoft is targetting to ship over 20 Million Windows Mobile enabled device in 2008, and more ambitiously they forecast that by 2012 they will hold 40% of the smartphone market. This at a time when Apple are going from strength to strength witth the iPhone.

Windows Mobile v7.0 ?
They are for sure serious about getting their share of this lucrative consumer segment and have recently gained the Sidekick technology via an acquisition of Danger Inc. So we may assume there is going to be some big changes in WM v7.0 if they can get the integration done in time.

Sidekick is described as intuitive client software which will connect to powerful back-end services, so we can expect a major change in the Windows Mobile user experience in v7.0.

Smile when you use that phone !
Roz Ho, Microsoft VP for Premium Mobile Experiences is quoted as saying “We imagine a mobile experience that embraces sharing and celebrating relationships and personal moments... we want people to smile every time they look at their phone.”

So, should you wait for v7.0 ? The new features of WM 6.1 are a logical step forward and more user friendly but not earth shattering. The main benefit of buying now is that it should be a stable platform, plus the fact that v7.0 must be at least 12 months away.

New Features in Windows Mobile 6.1

Sliding Windows
By sliding panels up/down and left/right gives a fast way to access the most used applications.

Getting Started Center
New walk through set up for email, bluetooth, transfer music etc.

Threaded Text Messaging
If you like the way Instant Messaging scrolls a conversation as it unfolds then you will like this feature. Text messages are connected into a single conversation, so you can view the entire conversation in one.

Exchange Server AutoDiscovery
An E-Mail Setup Wizard connects you automatically.

Custom Domain E-Mail Setup
E-Mail Setup Wizard helps you set up email direct from your own custom domain.

Fetch Mail for POP3/IMAP
If you use a POP3/IMAP e-mail account (like Gmail, AOL, or Yahoo!), Fetch will download your email inbox.

Internet Explorer Mobile
Page Overview zoom out to overview whole page on screen.
New Zoom in on Web page to view detail.

Auto-Pairing of Headset
Automatically connect Bluetooth headset to your smartphone, no codes necessary.

Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008
Active Directory/Group Policy allows IT departments to set and control policies in a single environment.

For breaking news see the Windows Mobile Team Blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2008/04/01/announcing-windows-mobile-6-1.aspx

Windows Mobile 6.1 Video Intro
mms://wm.microsoft.com/ms/windowsmobile/WinMobile.wmv