It turned out that we have an opportunity to get familiar with the new version of Windows Mobile operating system before the official announcement and long before the appearance of first devices based on the new OS. In the Internet there appeared the version of this OS for HTC Himalayas (the Qtek 2020, the I-mate Pocket-PC and others, we tested it on the Qtek 2020). Right away we’d stipulate that we won’t tell you in the forum or by e-mail where to download the update of the new operating system and how to install it. However we consider it our duty to introduce opportunities of the new operating system to our readers. The current version isn’t a final one, just preliminary. But taking it into account we can have an idea of the version, which will come out in the 3Q 2005. At the moment we have an opportunity to draw attention of developers to errors and weak points, perhaps they will listen to it, and improvements will be taken into account in the final version. Naturally, as soon as the final version of this operating system appears, we’ll publish the updated review.

Initially the announcement of the new OS was scheduled for February 2005. But later it was suspended presumably till the 2Q. The date might be changed for earlier or later terms, however under the preliminary info the release of the final version is set for April 13. As far as we learned, the release of devices powered by the new OS is expected in summer 2005. The project name а the new Windows Mobile is Magneto. Let’s recall project names of other Windows Mobile versions, and also the announcement dates.

Windows Mobile 2005 – Magneto – not announced
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition – Ozone Update – March 24, 2004
Windows Mobile 2003 – Ozone – June 23, 2003
Pocket PC 2002 – Merlin – October 4, 2001
Pocket PC 2000 (Palm-size PC v2) – Rapier – April 19, 2000
Palm PC v1.0/1.2 – Gryphon/Wyvern – 8 января 1998 года January 8, 1998 (3 months later Palm PC renamed into Palm-size PC)
Currently the OS is called Windows Mobile 5. Most likely by the release Magneto will have the commercial name Windows Mobile 2005. The system requirements are as follows: 32 MB of Flash ROM, 64 MB of RAM. As for the processor, the old requirements are valid, i.e. Magneto will have acceptable performance at 200 MHz.

The operating system is based on the kernel Windows Compact Edition (WinCE) version 5.1. It differs from its predecessor in Direct3D Mobile (initially optimized for Wireless MMX), Windows Error Reporting, the possibility to work as a USB storage without drivers, improved support of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and so on.

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At the first launch the device asks to set a password (a simple 4-digits or stable, additionally you can enter the code prompt). It’s a step in the right direction, many just used default settings, that means the absence of any kind of protection. System sounds got also changed, now they are more pleasant. Besides, to say the truth, old sounds bore. Now system hints float from below, they no longer appear as clouds above

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On the face of it the interface hasn’t been changed, it looks almost the same. The cross at the top right corner has different design. As before it just minimizes launched application instead of closing them. The ideology implies that it is the OS that decides which applications the user needs at the moment and which to close, as they are idle (Smart Minimizing concept). The Start up screen looks the same, there are two standard themes available. On the top left you see «Start» button, to the right comes the indicators line, nothing has been changed – connection indicator (GPRS, Wi-Fi, Active Sync), cell network indicator, sound volume, time.

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The changes of the interface are meant to provide a single-handed control of the device without using the touch screen. Below the screen there are two soft buttons (two inscriptions). It’s possible to assign them to any control buttons as you wish. Given this, the design of all built-in applications has been changed, all options are tied to the soft buttons. At the Start up screen the bottom icons are placed a line above including Bluetooth manager, Wi-Fi and other icons. See the screenshots below to compare interfaces of Magneto (right) and WM 2003 SE (left).

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Another moment that facilitates the control of the device without using the stylus is the improved navigation of the joystick, its functionality used to be restricted. We’d provide an example with GPRS settings. Press start button to launch Start menu. Double «Up» and «Enter» to go to Settings. Four times «Up» (Settings bookmark), double «Right» (Connections bookmark), double «Up» and «Enter». Here we change settings and press «OK». With the previous OS you could do it only with the help of the stylus, now hardware buttons can handle it. This method can be applied to other actions – various scrolling functions (screen brightness, for example), ticking in check boxes, field movements.




The consequences of changes are evident. After QVGA screens became the feature of smartphones, there is no need in a separate operating system Windows Mobile for Smartphone. There is little sense in the support of two OS (Windows Mobile for Smartphone and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC), when a single OS combines opportunities of the both. This division was justified by two factors. Firstly, it’s the restriction by screen resolution. Secondly, old Pocket PC and Windows Mobile versions were incapable to operate the device by means of the joystick and the digital keyboard.

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One of the key tasks for a handheld PC is to organize contacts, work schedule, tasks and notes. We’d add e-mail to the list. Naturally, all this stuff should be smoothly synchronized. Pocket Outlook has every means to carry it out. A part of applications from the package got improved, another part experienced no significant changes.

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Contacts. The key change here is that now you can attach a photo to a contact. This function emerged in the desktop version MS Outlook 2003, and it logically moved to the mobile version. Contacts opportunities stay at the same level with the desktop PC analog. In the previous version of Window Mobile there were 29 fields to fill in plus a text note. In Magneto you can assign photos and attach personal melodies to separate contacts. There are 37 fields available (additional fields include IM, Company Tel, IM2, IM3, Manager, Govt. ID, Account, Customer ID) and a text note (only for texts, it’s no longer possible to draw or make a voice memo). It’s impossible to rename the fields, like in desktop version. It can hardly be a weak point, as 37 fields are more than enough, and if something didn’t find its field, you can add it as a text note. We faced no problems with synchronization, even with the Russian language.

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Thanks But i Was Too Going Post These details But i Was Un Able TO Acess Noeman For 3 HRS

would you please post some aplication for i-mate jam or introduce some site to get kraked aplication?