Early Review of Windows Mobile 6.0 Crossbow for Pocket PC Here we offer you one early review of Crossbow, dubbed as Windows Mobile 6 by the reviewer from mobile-review.com. This review really worth the read, cause this OS is not public, nor ready for roll out yet, but this site has the scoop on it.

Today we are getting our readers to know the new mobile operating system by Microsoft codenamed Windows Mobile Crossbow. The most probable title for the commercial edition, though, is Windows Mobile 6.0, but it is the thing to remain veiled until an official announcement is made. Beginning from the previous version of Windows Mobile, the company has put into practice a new approach to indexing, so that now codenames are replaced by numbers, like 5.0, 6.0 etc. Interestingly, the second digit in the index hasn't been called for up until now, in other words, we haven't seen Windows Mobile 5.2 or 5.3 yet, since all intermediate updates and patch-works have been introduced within various versions of AKU (Adaptation Kit Update) update packs.

Nevertheless, the brand-new operating system could be called Windows Mobile 5.0 Second Edition for it lacks tons of all-new features and total system revamp as in the case of Windows Mobile 5.0. The most considerable upgrades are coming up in the next version, being developed under the codename of Windows Mobile Photon scheduled for release in two years time at best. Being under the pressure of launches of new products in its software range, including MS Windows Vista, MS Office 2007, MS Exchange 2007, Microsoft had no other choice but release an updated version of Windows Mobile. Most of Windows Mobile 6.0's new functions are aimed at providing support for what MS Exchange 2007 brings to the table. Here with Crossbow we still have the same division - WM for Pocket PC and WM for Smartphone, which will fade away only in WM Photon. Today we are giving a close-up to the Pocket PC edition, while the operating system for smartphones will be reviewed later.

The list of major changes introduced in Windows Mobile 6.0 for Pocket PC:

* Revamped outlook, refined icons;
* Totally re-mastered sound theme;
* Increased interface speed;
* Bundled IP-telephony (VoIP, SIP standard);
* Smart Dial 2.0, fast search through contacts, call history; removable on-screen virtual keyboard;
* Any tune can be assigned to any event;
* Support for shortcuts in Outlook Mobile;
* Full-fledged meetings arrangement system;
* Support for HTML in messages;
* Smart Filter – handy and fast search through messages;
* Numerous MS Exchange 2007-tailored changes;
* Integration with Windows Live online-services;
* Marketplace – purchase, download, and install directly from the device;
* Encryption – bundled memory card encryption

You can read the whole review here.