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Where Have All The Features Gone?

Here’s a riddle for you…

Question: When is a Windows Mobile 6 device not a Windows Mobile 6 device?

Answer: When its feature set has more gaps than the smile of a Kentucky debutante. Or Amy Winehouse. Take your pick.

If you happen to be the proud owner of an AT&T 8525 and upgrade it to Windows Mobile 6 using the free ROM update, you might be surprised to notice the following core features of Windows Mobile 6 will actually be missing…

• RDP Client
• Voice Command 1.6
• Windows Live for Windows Mobile (which includes Messenger Mobile)

Or maybe it’s better denoted like this…

• RDP Client
• Voice Command 1.6
• Live Messenger

Wow…3 key (read: exclusive) differentiators for WM against its mobile platform competitors. None of them there.

Not to pick on AT&T, because these omissions are present on certain WM devices from other carriers as well. But it’s a larger trend that’s continuing to expand.

In case you missed it, MS recently made Office Mobile available as a separate purchase. I assumed this release was for WM5 devices which didn’t have Office Mobile originally. But the surprising thing is that it’s not. Not at all.

The standalone version of Office Mobile is for Windows Mobile 6 devices that may not have Office Mobile included.

Yep, that’s right. The single most compelling differentiator for WM…gone! And right while being touted as a new feature for Windows Mobile 6 Standard devices AKA Smartphones, which previously didn’t get any of that sweet sweet Office Mobile lovin.’

So what’s reason for this? OEM/operator/MS itself? I dunno.

But I can tell you this much…

If we’re talking about a whole separate licensing ordeal to put Office on Windows Mobile devices…

Then Windows Mobile is making the slow slow fade into just another cellphone.

And quite frankly, WM just doesn’t have the SEXXAY to compete on that front.

But even if it gets the software equivalent of a plastic surgery, WM’s neutered incarnations means it’s in danger of becoming an endangered species, and losing its status as a core business device. At least for me.

|| posted by chris under business, kma, mobility, opinion, thumbs down || comments (2) || ||