With Windows Mobile 6, Microsoft has added many new features for Enterprise users. This article discusses these new features and how they relate to using Windows Mobile 6 (WM6) in the enterprise. If you are a regular user you will hear about features you can take advantage of as well.
File system cache
One of the differences you will notice right away is that Windows Mobile 6 is faster than Windows Mobile 5. The speed improvement is the result of Microsoft's decision to add a cache for all file systems. This makes more of the internal RAM available for running programs and improves the overall performance of Windows Mobile 6.
File system encryption on storage cards
Microsoft added the optional ability to encrypt removable storage cards (CF, SD, miniSD, etc.). The encryption capability was added so that data stored on the card remains safe, even if you lose your device or the storage card. In addition, if you are synchronizing with Exchange, lose your device, and request a remote wipe, the device and the storage card will be erased.
The downside is that the data stored on an encrypted card is only accessible from your device. You cannot use an encrypted storage card to transfer files from your device to a desktop or any other device with a card reader, and there is no option to decrypt the data with your PC.
Does not support Office 2007 file formats
Microsoft's latest version of Office for desktop PCs, Office 2007, uses new XML-based file formats. Unfortunately, the Windows Mobile 6 Office Mobile applications do not support this new format. If you want to sync and open Office 2007 documents on a WM6 (or older) device, you have to save the documents in Office 2003 file formats. Microsoft is expected to offer an upgrade so that users can open Office 2007 XML file formats as a beta in the spring and final in the summer.
Office Mobile applications now on the Smartphone
Smartphones running the new version of the OS will include mobile versions of PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. (Microsoft is now referring to these as Windows Mobile 6 Standard devices.) You can open, view, and edit these documents on the Smartphone, but you cannot create a new document. The workaround is to keep blank Word and Excel documents on your Smartphone. If you want to create a new document, you open the existing blank document and save it with a new name.
Enhanced Digital Certificate support
WM6 provides additional digital certificate capabilities. You can now import CER, P7B and PFX format certificates. Also, with ActiveSync 4.5 you can enroll in certificates. With WM6, you can see intermediate digital certificates. Also, more root certificates are installed by default. When you add or delete a digital certificate you no longer need a signed program to do so. This is because the certificate is installed into hkey current user. Finally Microsoft added the ability to install and use wildcard digital certificates.
Enhanced e-mail support
Microsoft has made some significant improvements with Outlook Messaging. WM6 allows the user to select the e-mail format for each account that is set up on their device. With HTML format, you can click on a link and open Office documents. Also, you can use S-Mime to encrypt your e-mail. An additional enhancement allows you to download individual e-mails rather than perform a full send/receive. Finally Microsoft has added keyboard shortcuts that emulate the shortcuts in Outlook on your PC.
Improved Exchange support
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