Windows Mobile 5.0 - a worthy upgrade
In essence what Microsoft have done with 5.0, is continue the migration of commonplace Windows desktop applications to a mobile environment, and deepen their functionality. The first thing to make clear is that these are not the stripped back versions of the original ‘Pocket’ operating systems. For example, the new Word Mobile now supports tables and images embedded in documents.

There’s a built in PowerPoint Mobile for viewing PowerPoint presentations (you still can’t edit them though) and Excel can also support charts. Spreadsheets got too many columns? Use the landscape mode for easy viewing.

Another major improvement with Windows Mobile 5.0 is what I’d call the ‘no-risk-disk’. When first working with older versions of the OS about a year ago, I was stunned to discover that if you let the battery drain completely, you would also lose all your data. Charge your PDA up and you were essentially starting with a clean device again. In many ways this impeded my adoption of a Windows PDA phone, as I was unable to commit my data in case it was lost forever. Interestingly, this bizarre situation also meant batteries ran down faster, as Windows Mobile allocated a significant chunk of battery life to protecting data.

With 5.0, however, that’s all over as the new OS has persistent data storage. Whew! In entertainment terms, Windows 5.0 ships with Windows Media Player 10.0. The device doesn’t support Java, so you can’t download Java ringtones, but you can transfer wav or .mp3 files to it and assign them as ringtones. A built in voice recorder allows you to record conversations or short notes. In mobility terms, the Apache with Windows Mobile 5.0 delivers enhanced email features, including support for accessing corporate, IMAP and POP3 e-mail, as well as MSN and Hotmail inside OutLook (Telecom is supplying Apache buyers with a free 100MB Xtra email account, until the end of 2006). Installed Direct Push Technology allows users to access corporate Outlook data remotely – something Telecom appears keen to promote for T3G business customers.

Windows Mobile also integrates with ActiveSync 4.0 via Bluetooth. Overall the new OS delivers enhanced functionality and communications tools, with a big plus being no more risk of data loss. Be prepared to invest some serious time in learning how to use it, as there’s a great deal of functionality here that isn’t immediately obvious. The 1.3 mega-pixel camera for instance has much of the functionality of a pure digital camera.

The Apache
Amongst other things, the Apache ships with a cradle (with USB connection), an AC adapter, an ear phone, two batteries and two styluses, Microsoft Active Sync 4.0 and manuals. In terms of connectivity options, it comes with a range of options including Telecom Mobile Broadband (with modem data speeds of 500 Kbps), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and InfraRed.

Operation is via a stylus screen tap or fingers and thumbs. What catches your eye first, however, is its slide-out QWERTY keyboard. And when you slide it out the screen automatically displays in landscape mode (otherwise you’d be typing at a 90 degree angle).

The keyboard is well sized too – much easier to use than its predecessor the Harrier. It's a little fatter than the Treo 650. The Apache also has a 1.3 megapixel camera and supports panorama, video, and MMS Video modes and runs miniSD storage cards (up to 1 GB – sold separately).

Overall it’s a nice device with a unique keyboard idea, but in essence PDAs are all much the same, and it’s how this hardware package makes the connectivity and software options easier/more fun to use that’s most important. For example Windows Mobile 5.0 has been written to allow one handed operation of all key functions, very important for a mobile device.

For more information on Telecom Mobile visit their online exhibit here.

For more information about Mobility visit the Mobile Business Research Pavilion.

February 2006