Microsoft’s reason for not so new WinMo 6.5 GUI: “Sorry dudes, we ran out of time, maybe next year”

• Mike Norris

• May 14, 2009 9:34 am

Tweet

If you have ever done any type of computer programing, graphic design, or picture/video editing among other things, you will know time consuming and frustrating working on and with computers can be. While everything often goes to plan with man and machine working in perfect harmony, there are times when the two refuse to coroporate causing great pain and grief. Since WinMo 6.5′s interface was leaked what seems like years ago now, the world reacted with a collective “that’s it?” – not exactly the reaction Redmond was looking for though, after hearing the latest bit of news surrounding Microsoft’s mobile OS, is now more easily understood. So, why exactly does Windows Mobile 6.5 look so…old?

During an ungodly boring TechED conference panel highlighting the various bumps, bruises and few happy spots along the WinMo 6.5 development cycle, Senior Project Manager Loke Uei Tan revealed a bit of information that while catching me by surprise, doesn’t really surprise me at the same time. Confused? Read on. Apparently the development schedule for WinMo 6.5 was an extremely fast paced 8-9 month from the ground up “restoration” of the mobile OS. With only 8-9 months, features had to be cut and prioritizations had to be re-evaluated.

Loke Uei Tan himself:

The reason why we couldn’t complete the interface on Windows Mobile 6.5 is because of time. We only spend what, eight months, nine months, to build 6.5 from ground up and it’s actually an amazing engineering feat. But, in order to do that, we had to do some prioritization and we had to cut certain features. Eventually, we will make sure that the UI capabilities are carried out throughout the whole platform.

So now that we know WinMo 6.5 was rushed, and I mean rushed, we can see now why such “superficial elements” (according to Microsoft’s business first happiness later mentality) as a completely new and refreshing UI design was shelved more or less. While the homescreen is different enough from pre-6.5 versions, it coupled with the rather unpolished look throughout still gives off an unfinished 2003 look. So, heres to hoping that Windows Mobile 7 brings some much needed TLC to Microsoft’s mobile baby such that we can actually consider it when choosing a smartphone.

Source: Gizmodo, Ars Technica