Windows Mobile 6 rant

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

I would just like to take a second and talk about Windows Mobile 6, the OS on my new phone (blackjack 2 from AT&T).

Windows Mobile 6 is the crappiest OS that could ever be made. AT&T doesn't make it any better by neutering much of the 'useful' functionality like GPS and Internet Connection Sharing. Microsoft decided that their vista model of cancel/allow worked so great in Vista that they decided to 'improve' upon that. On windows mobile 6 there is no cancel or allow screen that comes up, its just "nope you can't install/run this, microsoft hasn't approved this software".
Of course, if you google for the right page you can find instructions to 'fix' some of those 'problems'. This was a concern for me because I use birdesync to sync from sunbird calander and thunderbird email client. And WM6 gave me an error saying that a specific program couldn't start, it was birdiesync.
At that point I said "did I just buy a paper weight?". But, it did come with a data cable, which I then set out on a journey to make my phone more than just an expensive paperweight.

I understand that there should be some level of security on a phone....but if I were to write a virus, all I would have to do is include a certain cab file, run it for the user and tell them to restart (or I'm sure theres API to tell it to restart). Bam, my application can now run free. So much for the honest consumer model.

Addition:
AT&T included another 'problem'. The IM uses text messages to send and receive messages (and I theorize also for login and logout). However, this system sucks, especially if you hit an area with 0 signal, and you go back to a place with signal...you will not be logged in correctly. My opinion, download a IM service that uses internet only and save yourself a few $$$ by not buying a text message.

Final thoughts:
Although the blackjack 2 does seem like an expensive paperweight at first, it comes with 3G built in. Though, it does suck battery like water, so be aware of your battery life while you use internet based applications. The QWERTY keyboard if you have small fingers. I enjoy using the jog wheel to navigate, though plain arrow keys would have been a nice addition.
Regardless of all the 'problems', I am enjoying using GPS on my blackjack 2 with google maps. Plus also I have most of my email accounts added to my phone. I am trying to figure out how to use my torrent client, but thats another story . I just need to find a decent SSH client for smartphones and I will be in like flint.

Thats my rant for today, so if you decided to go out and buy a phone that uses Windows Mobile 6, look for Internet Connection Sharing. If the phone does not have that, then kindly ask the rep why their provider decided to take out the most important feature of a PDA phone. If they start talking about tethering, kindly put down (or throw) the phone down and walk about because all they want is your money at that point.

[CodedFire]

Get a palm

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Get a palm

I already have a pocket pc running windows mobile 2003, works perfectly...
Until I applied the timezone update program from microsoft .

[CodedFire]

Could you not jus install WM5 on the handset?

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Could you not jus install WM5 on the handset?

I could but then I'm just worried that some feature might not work right, whither it be 3G, GPS, making calls, ect.

I think there is even a linux project for the Windows Mobile platforms...but that again is like jumping in the middle of the ocean with no life raft. I'll stay in the kiddie pool, thank you very much.

[CodedFire]

Hmm should work fine, but then again it may void the warrenty

[timeshifter]

Sounds like WM5 was far superior to that. I had that on a Sprint PPC 6700 at my old job. Rarely had any problems. No security issues... had to get a program to hack the registry to the bluetooth button would fire the voice command software, not the default pile of crap. But I rarely had sync problems and mobile MSN messenger ran over the data line, not texts.

[CodedFire]

Yeah i had WM5 on my palm treo 750v. I upgraded it to WM6 and ......... gave it away.