Windows Mobile 6 Reviews Arriving

While Windows Vista gets all the ink, less has been written about a new operating system from Microsoft which will possibly affect even more people: The arrival of Windows Mobile 6 (aka Crossbow), which hits streets (as an upgrade) on Monday, February 12. Hardware with WM6 preinstalled will show up in the second quarter.

Early reviews are just now popping up on the web (I haven't had a chance to play with it personally yet), and Geek.com has probably the most comprehensive coverage so far (yet it still describes this epic post as "some quick highlights" and "first impressions." (Scroll down for a zillion screen shots.)

Major new features in the new OS include:

• Ability to read email with HTML formatting (instead of just plain text).
• A new version of Microsoft Office for Windows Mobile.
• Better Exchange Server integration.
• Generally faster all around.
• Better security, including encryption and device wiping features.
• Better sync features if you also use Vista.

Just looking at the screens, Windows Mobile 6 looks more modern and refined, but it clearly retains the overall flavor of previous versions of Windows Mobile. Microsoft says apps that worked on WM5 should be "100% compatible" with WM6, though watch out, WM6 will not support Office 2007 formats until later in the summer.

There are three versions of WM6 (Professional, Standard, and Classic), and it will be a little confusing to figure out which version you need. (ZDNet has some clarity on this subject.) Nonetheless, from first impressions, WM6 looks to be a decent improvement all around, particularly for smartphone power users.