Unlike the S60, which evolved as a system for smartphones with numeric keypad and touchscreen won support only from the fifth edition, Windows Mobile has done the opposite, starting as a system for palmtops (the Professional version) and after winning a version for smartphones without touchscreen display (the Standard version).

Curiously, the version for smartphones has never been widely used in devices with numeric keypad, but on devices with QWERTY keyboard, like the Motorola Q, Samsung Blackjack and the HTC Excalibur, which are models geared for communication and e-mails. The big reason we have not many examples of low-cost devices in the traditional format bar is that the hardware requirements for the system (combined with the cost of the license) make difficult the development of devices with these characteristics. It is different from what we have in the case of communicators, which, due to the use of the QWERTY keyboard may be larger and heavier.

Moreover, the Professional version (for devices with touchscreen) has equipped more sophisticated models such as the HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung Omnia I900, which should become more popular from 2009.

The interface of Windows Mobile turns on the screen "Today" (Today), which, besides offering shortcuts to applications, can be customized (via the "Settings> Today") to include various types of information, such as appointments, messages and so on. We also have the start menu (which, interestingly, was placed on top of the screen, as in Gnome), which gives access to other functions:

The initial appearance of the screen varies dramatically from model to model, because the lack of visual appeal of the standard Windows Mobile interface makes the majority of manufacturers to develop alternative interfaces. The most ambitious project is the HTC TouchFlo, which adds a whole new set of panels, applications and effects. However, just out of the most common and you are faced with good old Windows Mobile look and its spartan.

The menu "Programs" is a well common to all applications installed, while the "Settings" contains the configuration options, like a mobile version of the Control Panel, with options organized into three tabs, grouping the basic preferences, related to system settings and options relating to connections and Bluetooth:

According to Microsoft, Windows Mobile 7 (promised for the end of 2009) will bring a redesigned interface, with support for multitouch, and a set of new features, but while writing, he is still on the table of projects.

In the Standard version, the interface was changed in several areas, with a simpler version of the initial screen and a simplified start menu, which combines the applications and configuration options in a single menu:

See that, due to the use of larger fonts and icons, the menus display less information than in screenshots of the Professional version, but the screenshots show the same devices with screen resolution (QVGA), changing only the orientation.

In the Professional version, the interface is heavily based on the use of the button "ok", which is used to close windows and menus of confirmation, without, however, close the applications. So, as you open the applications, the windows will USA and you over the button "ok" to return to previous window.

On the one hand, this allows the switch between applications much more quickly than if you have to open them and close them continuously (since, from the second access, the application is already loaded and ready to use), but the other, this feature makes the RAM is used up quickly, especially in devices with only 64 MB. Applications in the background also consume processing, which means that the battery is used up more quickly and the system becomes heavier.

You can track open applications through the "Settings> Task Manager" and change the default behavior of the system through the tab "button" where the option "Enable the X button to end running programs" makes the button " ok "is replaced by" X ", which allows close the programs:

Most phones have a button dedicated to the "ok", located on the left, which is usually accompanied by a wheel, used to switch between options and scroll pages. These shortcuts end up making a big difference once you get used to using them since it allows you access to functions with one hand.

One of the differences between Standard and Professional versions of Windows Mobile is that in the Standard version the screen fonts are fixed, with options for personalization, while the Professional version you can adjust the size of sources and enable the use of Clear Type by "Settings> Screen", the same menu where you can change the orientation of the screen (the devices that support this option) to align and calibrate the touchscreen:

Like most devices running Windows Mobile Professional using screens of 2.8 "or more, you generally have a little room to reduce the size of the source, before they start to get uncomfortable.

You can also change the sources of the system (beyond the simple adjustment in size) using ING Font Change,available at http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-ing-change-font.html. To install the fonts, copy them to the memory card and use the import function from within the program. You can use the fonts directly from the folder "C: \ Windows \ Fonts in a Windows installation, without need of conversion.

Another tip is that p or default, when the device is asleep the only way to wake him and press the button to connect, which is not practical in many devices due to the positioning of the button. A simple solution is to change the option " Lock button ", so that it can be agreed using any of the front buttons:

If you bought an unlocked device, you may need to manually configure the connection to use the data. To do this, go to "Settings> Connections> Connections" and create a new connection, using the "Cellular Line (GPRS 3G). You need to provide the operator's APN (zap.vivo.com.br, bandalarga.claro.com.br, tim.br, etc.., According to carrier and plan). The login and password can be anything, since authentication is done using the codes recorded in the SIM chip.

As in the case of the Palms, there are two types of reset. The soft-reset, which is done by pressing the reset button using the stylus (or by removing the battery) and hard-reset, which erases all data and applications, leaving the unit and came from factory.

The procedure for the hard-reset may vary according to the model, but most of it is done by pressing the two front shortcut buttons, while triggering the reset button (hold the two keys pressed after pressing the reset until it displays a confirmation). The shortcut is intentionally difficult to remove any possibility of accidental triggering.

Another option to make the hard-reset is to use the "Settings> System> Clear Storage." He asks you to enter "1234" to confirm: