Windows Mobile 6.5 ships today

All WM 6.5 users get 200MB of My Phone storage space, but you can buy more capacity as and when you require it.

WM 6.5 uses Internet Explorer Mobile for browsing the web. The app is based on version six of desktop IE and, according to Microsoft, allows the display to appear in full-screen format or a single-column view to limit side-to-side scrolling.

WM 6.5's browser is based on IE 6 tech

There isn’t really much more to WM 6.5. It’s really just the same old Windows Mobile with a smoother interface, touch-based navigation and some updated programs. Perhaps that’s why Steve Ballmer recently referred to the OS as a “stop-gap”.

Nonetheless, numerous WM 6.5-capable smartphones are already winging their way into stores.

Acer has crafted three 3G-capable smartphones based on the new OS, while Toshiba has promised existing TG01 owners a free upgrade to WM 6.5.

Other vendors may announce similar updates for their WM 6 handsets today, but only handsets with WM 6.1 are expected to be able to be upgraded. If you have a WM 5 or WM 6.0 phone, you'll need new hardware to use 6.5.

Windows Media Player: slight UI tweak

LG has also designed several WM 6.5 smartphones, including the GM750. Sony Ericsson’s sexy Xperia 2 – aka the X2 – slider is another handset to consider if you’re thinking of moving to WM 6.5.

One of the best-known names in Windows Mobile smartphones, HTC, will have the Touch 2 to try, and the Touch HD 2.

More information about Windows Mobile 6.5 is available online now. ®