Are you waiting for Windows Mobile 6.5?

If you're using a Windows Phone that's running Windows Mobile 6.1, are you waiting to upgrade/update to 6.5? I've used 6.5 and I wasn't really that impressed. I think HTC and Samsung have both provided custom interfaces that improve touch-based input and navigation, so the update to 6.5 probably won't add much. The improved Pocket Internet Explorer (or Internet Explorer Mobile) won't compare against Opera Mobile 10 or Skyfire 1.5. So at the end of the day, maybe you're like me. I know that my HTC Touch Pro2 will eventually get an update to Windows Mobile 6.5, but I'm not anxiously waiting for it.

Refreshed Internet Explorer Mobile (Pocket Internet Explorer)

Pocket Internet Explorer (Pocket IE) should really be called Internet Explorer Mobile or IE Mobile. I'm still in the habit of calling it Pocket IE (that's how long I've been using Windows Mobile)

The refreshed version of IE Mobile in Windows Mobile 6.5 is a considerable improvement than the browser found in 6.1, but I still prefer using either Skyfire or Opera Mobile. I'm eager to see Firefox Mobile (Fennec) when the final release gets out there. The refreshed version of IE Mobile allows you to zoom in and out of web pages much more effectively. Since the majority of Windows Phones use resistive touch screens (passive) as opposed to capacitive touch screens, we won't see any multi-touch gestures that allow you to zoom in and out by pinching or spreading your fingers in the current generation of Windows Phones.

So, if the one major benefit of upgrading from Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.5 is to get the newer, more functional IE Mobile. Is that a real benefit if you're already using Skyfire or Opera Mobile?

Opera Mobile 9.7 for Windows Mobile

Opera has updated its smartphone browser for Windows Mobile devices. Beta version 9.7 is now available for Opera Mobile (not to be confused with Opera Mini).

I've been testing Opera Mobile for several months and I frequently get "out of memory" alerts that shut down the browser. It seems like it would be a great browser for smartphones that have enough memory and horsepower to handle it smoothly. Unfortunately, my outdated HTC phone just can't handle it so I'm left running either Skyfire or Pocket Internet Explorer.

Iris Browser Update

The Torch Mobile Iris Browser has been updated again. It's a good mobile browser for my XV6800 Windows Mobile PDA/Smartphone, but I occasionally get an "out of memory" error if I visit busy web pages. Like many other mobile browsers, you can zoom in and out very easily and scan pages quickly. I've also been playing around with Opera Mobile, Opera Mini, Skyfire, and Pocket Internet Explorer. Proxy servers speed things up if they're configured properly.

When is Windows Mobile 6.5 Coming to Verizon?

We've all been hearing about the nice new features on Windows Mobile 6.5. Isn't it funny how Microsoft went from version 6, to 6.1, and now to 6.5? Will there be a 6.8 or 6.9 before version 7 gets released? Why such incremental changes?

For me, the biggest advantage of Windows Mobile 6.5 is the new Pocket Internet Explorer 6.5. I currently have a nice version of PIE because of the custom ROM loaded on my XV6800. However, it's not as nice as PIE 6.5 and I don't think my XV6800 could handle PIE 6.5 because the hardware just isn't robust enough for those requirements. It's a shame because these little devices have such incredible potential. They are considered mobile internet devices (MIDs) by many, but they don't really have the firepower as other dedicated MIDs.

Prevent Opera Mini from Freezing in Windows Mobile

I've been testing Opera Mini on my Windows Mobile device and I was pleased by the speed and performance, but I noticed that it would freeze up occasionally. My entire device would crash and I'd have to reset the phone. I decided to change the Network Protocol from Socket to HTTP. Now, I have yet to experience a freeze or a crash. Opera Mini 4.2 has become my favorite mobile browser on my XV6800 (HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul) Pocket PC because it's so much faster than Skyfire, Opera Mobile, Iris, or Pocket Internet Explorer. So, if you use your mobile device to browse medical websites and participate in CME activities, I would urge you to try Opera Mini. You won't get any "out of memory" messages and if you switch your Network Protocol, you shouldn't get any frustrating freeze-ups. Caveat: you won't get Flash content on Opera Mini.

Iris Browser v1.1.2

The Iris Browser (by Torch Mobile) has been updated to v1.1.2

It may not be mobile Safari, but it's a really nice browser for Windows Mobile. I also use Skyfire, Opera Mobile, and Opera Mini. I'm still waiting on mobile Firefox (I haven't tried the sub-beta alpha test version because of reports that it's so slow). My experience so far with the new and improved version of Pocket Internet Explorer has been quite positive on my XV6800. I'm running Windows Mobile 6.1 and I don't think my device can handle 6.5 so that's somewhat disappointing.
At least I should be able to find a good mobile browser that will work on my device.

Improvements to Skyfire

If you use a Windows Mobile device, I hope you've tried Skyfire. It's probably one of the best mobile browsers currently available. I think it beats Pocket Internet Explorer, Opera, and Iris. I say this because you rarely run into a "out of memory" error using Skyfire (although you may not get this problem if you use a different phone. I've only tried it on my XV6800).

Skyfire is still in beta, but the most recent version adds social networking Web 2.0 features.

Medical Smartphones

Welcome to the ultimate site for medical handheld devices. Here, you'll be able to find information about handheld devices (including Palm OS, Pocket PC or Windows Mobile, PDA, smartphones, UMPC, Blackberry, and much more).