Tuesday, June 26, 2007
How Would You Change Windows Mobile 6?
Posted by Pete Paxton in "THOUGHT" @ 10:30 AM
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/24/how-would-you-change-windows-mobile-6/
"While some of you have no doubt been running Windows Mobile 6 for a few months or more already (thanks, XDA developers!), the majority of the world is just recently getting its first taste of Microsoft's latest mobile operating system from new devices like the Sprint Mogul and updates to others like the T-Mobile Dash. The critics have certainly been, um, critical of the new OS, to say the least -- "evolutionary, not revolutionary" seems to be the general consensus -- but until we're allowed to behold the glorious light that is Photon, it's the best we've got for now. Still, while WM6 has beefed up Office support and arguably improved the tethering sitch, there are a number of issues that users have been griping about for years which have curiously yet to be addressed. Where's the tabbed browsing in Pocket IE? How come we have to rely on pricey third-party apps to make a decent Today screen? And the old favorite, why can't we have the choice of "managing our own memory" and using that damn "X" button to actually close an app? These are just a few of the complaints that have been making the rounds about an OS that feels like its definitely in need of a serious refresh -- if for no other reason than to draw some of the hype away from splashy young competitors; so, what do you think: what could Redmond have done differently this time around?"
Now I'm going to put a slightly different spin on this. I admit there are certain functions like the "X" close option that should just be there. But could it be that MS doesn't include certain functions so developers can create these programs instead? I think Microsoft gets criticized no matter what they do. I remember years ago back in the Netscape days everyone was frustrated that Microsoft didn't have a suitable browser. As soon as IE came out, everyone criticized MS for putting Netscape out of business. Think about Windows Firewall for a moment. Everyone criticized MS for not having a firewall built into the OS. Then they criticized MS because Windows Firewall isn't that robust. But let's face it, if they did come up with a powerhouse firewall, wouldn't we complain that they've put companies that make firewalls out of business? It's like Microsoft can't win no matter what direction they go. How does Apple do it without being criticized? So could the reason they don't put more into their OS (including mobile) be because they leave room for developers? And now my question: What should have absolutely been included in WM6, what should be left for developers, and what would you change?
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