In more than one post, have I eluded to the fact that my personal mobile device of choice - my choice for how I go about leveraging enterprise mobility - has been the T-Mobile Dash. I love the keyboard, I love the feel of the device itself, but I hated the original Windows Mobile 5.
The interesting thing is that I hated Windows Mobile 5 more because of the fact that my (mobile) messaging system leverages Exchange 2000. The original ROM from T-Mobile was OK, at best. When Microsoft announced the Windows Mobile 6 platform, T-Mobile was very quick to provide an upgrade for Dash users. Good for them, but boy was that upgrade a DOG!!!! It was a ram hog and overall, the performance of the device was pretty slow.
I then learned of the XDA Developers site, which is a great web community that shares tips and tricks around how to tweak or modify the Windows Mobile platform. From that site, I update recently my Dash to an unofficial HTC-based ROM. That version of the OS worked so much better than what T-Mobile had provided. The interface was snappier, and the amount of RAM used was much lower than how T-Mobile had tweaked the ROM. (PS: Shame on you T-Mobile!!!!)
So now Microsoft has been talking about Windows Mobile 6.1, and I was able to find a version of the OS that is compatible with my Dash (a.k.a HTC S620). What I can tell you is this...The new home screen is UNBELIEVABLE. It is so much further ahead in terms of usability from the home screen on 6.0 devices. There alone, the update deserves more than a 0.1 branding. Also, the overall impact on the device seems negligeable....meaning the device still feels quite snappy. The new threaded SMS is a nice added feature. However, from an overall perspective, I find it fascinating at how many tiny tweaks there have been in Windows Mobile 6.1 and yet how absolutely similar it remains to Windows Mobile 6.0
Is it as good as the iPhone from a usability perspective? Heck no, but this is a huge step forward. It also has a new version of Pocket Office that is compatible with Office 2207 (which I use at home). I also think the new SonyEricsson XPeria line will make WM improve from a usability perspective, but boy is there much to do. This is why I am still holding my breath for Windows Mobile 7.
Until then, I will happily enjoy my new carousel powered Home Screen and think less about the fact that my contact at Nokia has not kept his promise of lending me a e61i for the last three months!
