Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1, device upgrades

Though it's been circulating through the user community (and a Sony Ericsson lab or two) for a little while now, Windows Mobile 6.1 had never gotten officially official in its own right -- until now. Microsoft has taken the wraps off the latest rendition of its mobile platform at CTIA today, a small step on the path to Windows Mobile 7 that'll provide Microsoft-based smartphones with a breath of fresh air starting later this year. The changes are expectedly minor as 0.1 releases tend to be, offering a new Getting Started Center to ease the process of setting up a new device, home screen tweaks, and -- finally -- true, native threaded SMS.

Additionally, Microsoft has announced that a phalanx of carriers and manufacturers have thrown their support behind upgrading devices that are already in the marketplace, which is exactly what we were hoping to hear. Everything from the Pantech Duo, to the AT&T Tilt, to the Sprint Mogul is getting 6.1 love beginning this quarter of the year -- though exact dates haven't been announced. Follow the break for the full list of devices on the upgrade list or have a peep at our 6.1 gallery below!

Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1

Mobile operators:

• Alltel Wireless: HTC PPC6800, HTC Touch
• AT&T: Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q 9h global, Pantech duo, AT&T Tilt by HTC
• Sprint: A new Palm Treo and updates for the Mogul by HTC, Touch by HTC, MOTO Q 9c, Samsung ACE
• T-Mobile International: T-Mobile MDA Ameo 16 GB, T-Mobile MDA compact IV

Device-makers:

• ASUS: New phones including the P320, ZX1, P560, M536 and updates for the P527, P750, M930
• HTC: A new Touch Dual for the U.S. and updates for the AT&T Tilt, Touch by HTC, Mogul by HTC from Sprint, TyTN II
• i-mate: 8502, 9502, 8150, 6150
• Intermec: CN3
• Motorola: MOTO Q 9c, MOTO Q 9h global, MC70, MC9000
• Pantech: Pantech duo
• Samsung: BlackJack II
• Toshiba: Portégé G810,Portégé G910

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 12:40PM]

No love for the Shadow? *sigh*

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 3:42PM]

I'm hoping it's because the shadow has the neo interface running on top of it, and they have to re-tweak it all. Also, they just came out with a firmware update. At least, I'm hoping that's what it is.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 1:20PM]

No love for the Blackjack I either....

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:16PM]

to be fair, they did hook it up with Windows Mobile 6 for free...AT&T has to sell the just barely marginally better Blackjack II somehow

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:36PM]

Go to www.txcaesar.net for Blackjack 1 upgrade. I have had it for over a week now and can say it is an improvement over 6.0.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 6:27PM]

no verizon? damn

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 12:56PM]

Can someone please tell me why verizon ALWAYS opts out of upgrading its devices?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 4th 2008 12:25PM]

I don't know, but unless I hear something from Verizon soon I'm pretty much done with them. If we go by the scale they usually go by, they'll have some wm6.1 devices by spring 2010.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:32PM]

Easy, So that you can buy a new phone every two years.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 12:57PM]

Does this mean the Verizon xv6800 isn't getting upgraded?

[munchies Posted Apr 1st 2008 12:59PM]

If you ever want it on a Verizon phone, you know where to look. And it isn't vzw.com.......

[munchies Posted Apr 1st 2008 1:00PM]

Much easier this way to force you to buy a new phone to get the software.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 1:36PM]

Sweet!! First Rev-A ...now This Bring it On At this point this is turning out to be a Great envestment!!!! LOL

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:30PM]

Not to wee on anyone's parade, but 6.1 has been in the "wild" for quite some time now... and certainly isn't limited to the devices listed here. I suggest a little googlin... and some home cooking.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 3:27PM]

I have been updating devices starting with the SMT 5600, up through the Tilt so I am versed on all that the XDA community can do (and they do it well!!!!). BUT, this is a big deal because my Blackjack II (which I own and love) has NO way to upgrade!!! If you are using a current device (not the BJ I) that isn't manufactured by HTC you have no upgrade path. Yes lots of old, HTC devices have can upgrade to 6.0 - 6.1 but that is about it.

Bring it on I cannot wait to upgrade!!

P.S. I do really hope this isn't a hoax, it would destroy my week!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 2:46PM]

When are they gonna show some love to us in the north?!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 3:20PM]

where can i get the 6.1 update for my dash???

ive been lookin for it everywhere...

someone help me out...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 12:15AM]

Search Google for Xda-developers Forum :)

I got my Dash running Windows Mobile 6.1

JAmerican

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 3:49PM]

another update for the sprint mogul? i'm guessing this is an april fools joke.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 4:19PM]

No jokes here. I reported this coming today a couple of weeks ago at XDA.

Verizon owners, no fear! There will be ~Semi-official upgrades available. Most likely via the Mogul. For all BJ & BJII owners I suggest taking a look at http://www.txcaesar.net/

For XV Verizon users & everybody else, there is: http://forum.xda-developers.com

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 4:43PM]

So no WM6.1 upgrade for the i780? Or am I misinterpreting something? If there won't be one, I might have to rethink my purchase of the i780 i was planning on for the coming week...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 5:05PM]

Anyone know how to update the Samsung SCH-i760 to WM 6.1?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 1st 2008 10:07PM]

Buy the Samsung I770 when Verizon tells you to.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2008 3:48AM]

So, what would be the best place to file a complaint with Verizon about this?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 2nd 2008 10:15AM]

Kinda weird that HTC touch will get the upgrade but the T-mobile
MDA touch doesn't at least not yet.
I Sure hope they will change there minds in time

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 3rd 2008 9:18AM]

same as Gabriel's post - I'm not buying the i780 until it has 6.1 - anyone know if/when that will be released?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 10th 2008 4:59PM]

Apparently no love for the Dopod C730 / HTC S630...

.

[(Unverified) Posted May 20th 2008 12:48AM]

What does this mean for me, the owner of a Motorola Q9h? Will this update/upgrade be a free download for me, or is it only available on those select phones manufactured since its release? What do I do?