More on Windows Mobile 6

Windows Mobile 6 got officially announced today, although everybody's known about it since last week at least. I'm currently sitting in a Microsoft press conference all about it, and I have to say it looks pretty cool.

Full integration with Windows Live - that means Hotmail (as they've decided to call it again, having given up on the "Windows Live Mail" moniker), Windows Live Messenger are both accessible from the homescreen with one click. The calendar function is greatly improved, as you'll now be able to see who's confirmed attendance for a meeting and all that sort of thing. You can also use the new quick find function to search server-side emails, for those push-email users out there.

Looks like Orange will be rolling out a new HTC smartphone, by the way - slider qwerty keyboard, WM6 of course.

And the bad news - shiny new DRM in the form of "PlayReady", to protect the assets of the operators apparently. This really is Vista gone mobile... we'll have plenty more for you, soon!

Continuing with the running commentary now. Seems BT is a partner now, particularly re the integrated WiFi and VoIP capabilities. Good grief - it looks like BT will be introducing HTC devices into the UK market!

I would continue, but - as could only be expected - my battery's on the way out! Again, more soon.

I'll leave you with an iPhone-related put-down from Microsoft exec Pieter Kanook, vice president of mobile embedded devices at MS: "We know how to partner with both device makers and operators". Hmmm...