The Next Windows Mobile version

[adamz]

An article on Mtekk.com.au (http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page616.html) discusses the current rumors about Windows Mobile 2004 and gives some very logical reasoning that we will not see a new Windows Mobile operating system in time for the release of the Motorola MPx and iPAQ H6300. Instead Matt M suggests that there will be an update to Windows Mobile 2003 perhaps in the form of a service pack which will fix numerous bugs and add a few features. The reasoning is because hAe doubts Motorola and HP would put so much faith in an unfinished operating system. However, as is the case with the Motorola MPx, the OS does need a landscape mode built in. So it is rumoured that the update to Windows Mobile 2003 will include landscape support. It's also expected that the update will include a much more functional Bluetooth stack than the one included with the release of the XDA II. The release time-frame for the update is expected to be around April, which gives Motorola and HP time enough to test the update on their Pocket PC Phones for a June/July release.

[Pony99CA]

Originally posted by adamz
An article on Mtekk.com.au (http://www.mtekk.com.au/browse/page616.html) discusses the current rumors about Windows Mobile 2004 and gives some very logical reasoning that we will not see a new Windows Mobile operating system in time for the release of the Motorola MPx and iPAQ H6300. Instead Matt M suggests that there will be an update to Windows Mobile 2003 perhaps in the form of a service pack which will fix numerous bugs and add a few features.

[...]

It's also expected that the update will include a much more functional Bluetooth stack than the one included with the release of the XDA II.
While I'd certainly welcome a Windows Mobile 2003 ROM upgrade, I doubt HP is waiting for a Bluetooth fix as Matt speculates.

My iPAQ 5550 doesn't use the Microsoft Bluetooth stack; it uses Bluetooth Manager from WIDCOMM. In fact, when I've enabled Microsoft's Bluetooth applet on my 5550, I get an error saying "There is no Bluetooth hardware installed on this device". Oh, really? :rolleyes:

Microsoft may well add fixes to their Bluetooth stack, but I wouldn't count on HP to use them given their relationship with WIDCOMM.

Steve

[adamz]

Originally posted by Pony99CA
While I'd certainly welcome a Windows Mobile 2003 ROM upgrade, I doubt HP is waiting for a Bluetooth fix as Matt speculates.

My iPAQ 5550 doesn't use the Microsoft Bluetooth stack; it uses Bluetooth Manager from WIDCOMM. In fact, when I've enabled Microsoft's Bluetooth applet on my 5550, I get an error saying "There is no Bluetooth hardware installed on this device". Oh, really? :rolleyes:

Microsoft may well add fixes to their Bluetooth stack, but I wouldn't count on HP to use them given their relationship with WIDCOMM.

Steve

Yeah, but your 5550 isn't a Phone Edition and can't recieve calls through a Bluetooth Headset. I doubt that the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack has an interface for automatically transferring Windows Mobile Phone Edition calls to Bluetooth headsets. A custom solution would have to be developed... or they could use the Microsoft Stack which does work with Bluetooth headsets.

At XDA-Developers, people had hacked the WIDCOMM stack into working on the XDA II, but this usually disabled the Bluetooth Headset from working. The better solution was to hack the Microsoft stack into working with GPS Recievers.

The Microsoft Bluetooth Stack upgrade probably won't work for your 5550, but it will be a definite advantage for Phone Edition devices.

[ctitanic]

I'm one of those who think that we are not going to see a 2004 version until the end of this year if we see any 2004.

[Pony99CA]

Originally posted by adamz
Yeah, but your 5550 isn't a Phone Edition and can't recieve calls through a Bluetooth Headset. I doubt that the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Stack has an interface for automatically transferring Windows Mobile Phone Edition calls to Bluetooth headsets.
The WIDCOMM Bluetooth Manager seems to support the headset profile, although for the 5550 it just says "Redirect your Pocket PC's audio to a headset or use a headset's microphone with your handheld."

I can't say for sure that it would work with a Pocket PC Phone Edition device, but it certainly looks possible.

Steve