windows mobile 6.1

Way back in November 2007, the HTC Touch Cruise was officially announced.  With almost a year of availability for the smartphone community, early adopters have been struggling with the less-than-stellar Windows Mobile 6.0 performance.  Today things are changing as HTC has officially released the Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the Touch Cruise, bringing threaded text messaging and improved web browsing to the touchscreen device.

It looks like HTC also addressed several issues/bugs within the current Touch Cruise firmware.  Bluetooth issues with certain headsets, instability with the on-screen keyboard and title bars, and other stability issues seem to be resolved.  If you give the update a go and find additional improvements do not hesitate to drop us a comment.

You can download the Windows Mobile 6.1 update direct from HTC here.

The latest device to get updated to Windows Mobile 6.1 on Verizon Wireless is now the Motorola Q9c.  The update is currently available from the Motorola Direct website and as usual you will need a Windows XP machine with ActiveSync or a Microsoft Vista 32 machine with Mobile Device Center.  A USB sync cable and 50% battery charge are also required, but this is a small price to pay for native threaded text messaging and improved web browsing.

Please keep in mind that once you update your device to Windows Mobile 6.1 you will not be able to revert back to 6.0 by simply hard resetting your device.  All data on your device will also be lost in the upgrade so make sure you back up prior to performing the update.  The entire process takes about 10 minutes so we highly encourage you to give it a go if you are looking to get a little extra mileage out of your Q9c.

Download Windows Mobile 6.1 Update for Verizon Wireless Motorola Q9c

Living in Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard is a thing of the past for Samsung BlackJack II owners.  Today, the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update became available, but unlike other ROM updates you will need to download the Samsung modem driver prior to installing the software.  The notable improvements in the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update are better GPS Navigation, Internet Connection Sharing, System Center Mobile Device Manager, Mobile Banking and Voice Command.

As with any ROM update you will want to backup all of your data/software prior to installing.  You will also need at least 50% battery, USB cable and ActiveSync/Mobile Device Center installed on your Windows Machine (XP/Vista). You can find the full list of improvements on Samung’s site and as usual the download link is below.

Download Windows Mobile 6.1 for the Samsung BlackJack II

The Diamond-esque HTC S740 was just announced a few days ago, but newmobile.com has already managed to get their hands on a live unit.  The dual keyboard, S740 packs a keyboard similar to the Touch Pro but with a 4 row keyboard (sorry no dedicated number keys).  The outside and rear of the device take their style from the Touch Diamond, but this sleek handset is more looks that guts.

Without a touchscreen, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition and a typical QVGA resolution screen are a disappointing combination.  The biggest improvement to the Diamond and Touch Pro have been the high resolution VGA screens, but the S740 is designed for style and versatility.  If the hefty price tags of top-end phones are taking the wind from your sails, the S740 might be your next device.

HTC S740 Specifications:

Die-hard Motorola fans still clenching their Q9h can rest easy tonight as At&t’s Motorola Q9h has officially been given the green light for the long-awaited Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM Update.  The WM 6.1 update is available now over at Motorola’s website (link below).  Before you hit the update, keep in mind that all of your precious data (contacts/calendar/email/software etc…) will be erased so it is a good time to backup your data.

Our personal recommendation for data backup is PIM Backup since it’s free and it works (download here).

Download the At&t Motorola Q9h WM 6.1 Update

Good news for those of you lucky enough to have your carrier issue Windows Mobile 6.1 updates; Skype 2.2.0.45 is now official.  With support for Windows Mobile 6.1, this new version of Skype is fully compatible with both Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard and Professional Editions on both CDMA and GSM networks.  To make things simple, if you have a Windows Mobile 6.1 device download Skype 2.2.0.45 HERE.

Important information

• You need a minimum 12MB of free storage memory on your device to install Skype or 6MB free if you are installing from a memory card.
• In order to use Skype for Windows Mobile, your device must have a high speed wireless Internet connection over WiFi or 3G.
• Please note that data usage costs apply for using Skype over 3G mobile networks (EDGE, EV-DO and UMTS), so we recommend an unlimited data plan.
• Please refer to your manual to see whether you have the Pocket PC or Smartphone edition.

Update: There is a direct link for the Orange HTC Kaiser / TyTN II Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM HERE.

The promise of a Windows Mobile 6.1 Update back in May for Orange’s HTC TyTN II has left many restless nights for those owning the device.  To pour salt in the wound left by Orange’s web team failing to release the update to the public, Orange has published a page (link) showing the Windows Mobile 6.1 update in action.  Unfortunately there are no links to download this updated ROM and the saga looks to continue for an unforeseeable amount of time.  

Thankfully xda-developers have been able to come to the rescue with a test build of the HTC TyTN II update for the Orange UK network.  While an official build is always best, at this point anything is a winner and it doesn’t seem like Orange UK is in any rush to deliver on their promise made back in May.  

Download the test build of Windows Mobile 6.1 for the Orange UK HTC TyTN II here.

Update: There is a direct link for the Orange HTC Kaiser / TyTN II Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM HERE.

The latest device to receive the formal Windows Mobile 6.1 treatment on ‘Big Red’ is now the Samsung SCH-i760.  Over on the Samsung Support website, the SCH-i760 Windows Mobile 6.1 update is available to download for both Windows XP and 2000 users.  A separate tool has been released to upgrade the SCH-i760 for Vista 32 bit users since the original update was created to work with ActiveSync 4.5 and Vista relies on Mobile Device Center.  

Key changes to the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update include: threaded sms, domain enrollment and updated Vista 32-bit looks.  There are several other software fixes and enhancements specific to the SCH-i760 in this software update beyond the basic Windows Mobile 6.1 features.

Download the new Windows Mobile 6.1 Update for the Samsung SCH-i760 here.

Unofficial ROM updates can only keep you satisfied for so long, but with the Sprint HTC Touch it seemed so long had almost turned into ‘too long’.  Thankfully Sprint and HTC have made the official announcement and the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update is now available on the HTC website.  As promised, the Windows Mobile 6.1 Update includes support for Sprint’s faster EVDO Rev A network along with advanced GPS functionality and Sprint Navigation Support.  Also included is the Opera browser and a full QWERTY on-screen keyboard.  

With Opera Mobile 9.5 Beta working on the HTC Touch by Sprint we are sure most of you updating will skip that bonus and focus on testing the EVDO Rev A network and Sprint Navigation.  The big question is whether or not this Windows Mobile 6.1 update will impact sales of Sprint’s Samsung Instinct which has identical features and less functionality than the Touch.  Add in the fact that you do not need to use the Simply Everything Plans for the HTC Touch and this update could seriously impact the success of the Instinct.