What about Windows Phone 6.5?

A lot of customers are asking this question:  “What’s the future for Windows Phone 6.5 that just shipped a few months ago, given how different Windows Phone 7 looks and feels in the videos an demos?

Well, here are some good indicators that Microsoft is still investing in Windows Phone 6.5:

  • From Todd Brix’s blog post, he provides shares that Microsoft is “introducing a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Developer Toolkit (DTK) which includes support for a new generation of Windows Mobile 6.5 phones that include capacitive touch screens
  • From this link: “for folks that are kept up at night worrying about security, the Windows Phone 6.5 operating system has officially obtained Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4+ (EAL4+)”   You don’t invest in obtaining this level of certification in an OS that doesn’t have a future…
  • The new Developers Toolkit (DTK) for a new generation of Windows Mobile 6.5 phones that include capacitive touch screens comes packed with great new features like a Bing Map Control, Widget VS Integration, Bubble Tiles, Auto Dialog Layout, and more.  Download the DTK here:

Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Developer Tool Kit:

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c0213f68-2e01-4e5c-a8b2-35e081dcf1ca&displaylang=en

Microsoft also announced a new OS SKU, Windows Phone 6 Starter Edition.  This new SKU allows our partners tokeep up with the growing demand for smartphones in emerging markets with a lower cost alternative for work and play.  Liz Sloan’s blog has more info.