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Windows Mobile 6.5 ready for daily use?

What are the builds like now, everything pretty stable?
I mainly use Opera, TomTom 7 (legally purchased) and lots of SMS so nothing too taxing.
All opinions gratefully received.

Easy Answer
Yes. WM6.5 runs as well or better then the WM6.1 counterpart. I fancy the new homescreen as well as the new finger scrolling that is built in. The WM6.5 finger scrolling feels much more fluid and "iphone-like". Simply a bliss to use.
The new redesigned menu's allow a lot more finger friendly use. I also like the new transparent startmenu and task bar. The actual start menu takes some getting used to but if you organize your icons into folders, it helps a lot.
Most of your basic apps are the same as before; Messaging specifically. Everything pretty much just works.
Once you try WM6.5 for a few days, you could never go back to WM6.1 without a fight.
Da_G is pretty much leading the pack and provides basic barebone versions to download. If you download his rom, you'll have JUST the WM6.5 OS with all the basic stuff. If you never used a barebones OS you'll find a few HTC customizations being missed. For example the Volume Control, Phone Dialer, and Task Manager are all HTC specific apps that aren't included with a clean Windows Mobile OS.
While it would be educational and fun to see what a pure WM6.5 OS feels like without the extra crap, for daily use, you might want to hit up some of the custom roms.
I typically like trying Da_G's rom first before cooking my own, so I can see what has changed and explore the new updated rom in its greatness.

player beat me to it. 6.5 is pretty amazing. I haven't found one bug. By the way Da G just released a new build.

do they have a sprint tp compatible version of wm6.5 yet? i havent been able to find one yet.

i'v been using the 21198 build for two weeks now. i haven't gotten around to adding HTC customizations yet as i'm a believe microsoft needs to step up and make an OS with solid with solid core functionality (think apple and iphone). i like 6.5 but there are some application incompatibilities at the moment, eg. epocrates and some other medical software.
opera 9.5.15613, i'm not sure if there are newer builds, doesn't display properly--some tearing in the screen when scrolling. but tomtom7 works fine.

Right now im using his new 21500 build, and i have to say, it is godly. Windows 6.5 runs soo smoothly, and almost no glitches that i can find so far. Battery drains a little fast, but its managable if you charge it every night. Opera is working like a charm, everything is a little small though.. gps is working great also.

Thanks all. Sounds like its time to give it a go.

I have searched and flashed but to no avail, can somoene help?!

Hi all
I've been looking for a CLEAN speedy rom for ages, ever since At0mang stopped cooking the quality of the roms on here seems to have dropped, there doesnt seem to be a single RAPHAEL rom, or one that hasnt been heavily modified to include the very buggy rhodium manilla
does ANYONE know of a CLEAN/SPEEDY rom with minimal extra applications but of course the regular gamut of speed enhancements
many thanks

Try PROven 4.2 with or without tp or rhodium manillas

Have you tried Da-G's? he's releasing roms in addition to kitchens now. It might be buggy since its the lastest 6.5 build.

I've already tried Provens 4.2
its moreso the issues with the menu's thats the problem
same with Da_G's, theres just some pretty annoying bugs on there
the only thing i tend to use my TP for is as a phone, to text and call, and some of the roms are just really slow when it comes to texting!

You could try NATF's Roms. They are pretty stable, and you can choose the lite version - it comes without Manilla, and then you can add whatever apps you like.

i'd recommend RRE roms... it comes with or without Manila and 6.1 or 6.5 versions.
it's amazingly fast and stable

RRE 5.8 series everytime, loved his 6.1 based ROM used Atoms before this, admittedly RRE 5.8 aren't as Naked as Atoms were but they are certainly not filled to the brim with apps just for the sake of having them!! Also try his 6.5 based series..they Freakin Rock and are stable as anything ive used ...
So Far

Hi all,
First of all, i am new here BUT read the rules of this forum as far as i could understand it (am from Holland
and can write/read some English but most of this translated with google translater )
Second i did search what i am looking for but couldn't find it exactly.
This topic is most close to it i think.
I have a touch pro, dutch phone, no simlock, doesn't work very well, very slow phone, microphone is broken so phone function can't be used anymore,
camera had better days, battery is not much better, BUT:
The GPS function does work and that is what want to use the phone for.
I am a tourist trackdriver (Nurburgring Nordschleife) and want to measure my tracktimes with Racechrono.
I know it isn't very accurate, but that doesn't matter on a 21 kilometre track
What i'm looking for is a very very very light windows mobile version without phone functions, games, email, internet, and such, this because the phone crashed alot during the time i used it as daily phone, so there has to be as little programs on the phone as possible.
Only the GPS function and the Race Chrono program have to work.
Can someone help me with this?
Thanks in advance.
Jeroen

Picked up a sprint Snap/HTC Cedar last night at Best Buy first thoughts.

I don't think the BB Mobile rep was supposed to let me get it yet as I thought it and the pre were due out on the same day? Of course, she was sweet and cute, but not very knowledgeable anyhow so it all worked out for me.
My HTC S511 came with Qualcomm 7625 528MHz processor. 192 MB of RAM with 80 MB for os as well as 256 MB of Flash memory of which the os takes up 160 MB. Software wise it ships with ROM version 1.14.651.1 dated 4/15/09 and radio version 1.25.05F. PRL version 60652 and PRI version 1.29_003.
Seems like a newer slimmer & lighter version of the Motorola q9c (which I also have on another line) except made by HTC with a 2mp camera. Not even close to the touch or mogul I also have so I will not even bother to compare it to either, but rather to it's closest match that I have experience with. I have pics of all these phones together, but no clue how to get them on here.
Keypad buttons seem a little wobbly but easy to use even for my big paws. Still playing with it trying to see if I like it or not. It feels better in my hand then the q9c and better suited to right handed use. Camera is alright, but no flash. Everything is pretty easy to find, especially if you are q9c friendly. Has MS Office instead of Documents to Go, but I can't seem to open word on it's own without a file already there to open. MicroSD card is protected under battery cover, which is kinda nice if it included a card that is. Includes 3 games Bubble Breaker, Solitaire and Wheel of Fortune. Also here is a quick list of included gadgets/software read from the bottom up on my phone:
YouTube
Voice Recorder
Video Recorder
Streaming Media
Sprint TV (Speaker is very loud though tinny)
Sprint Nav
Speed Dial
Software Store
RSS Hub
Remote Desktop
QuickGPS
NFL Mobile Live
NASCAR
Music
MP3 Trimmer (very nice for custom ringtones)
Messenger (Live) redundant?
Live Search
Instant Messaging (AIM, Live, Yahoo)
Inner Circle
HTC Mobile Guide
Google (not compatible with gmail mobile which makes me think no java support)
File Explorer
Comm Manager (Airplane Mode, Phone, Bluetooth, MS Direct Push, Data Connection) no wifi
Clock & Alarm
Camera (pretty nice and can send via email right from app)
Bluetooth Explorer
Audio Booster
Album
Adobe Reader LE
Internet Sharing
Accessories
Getting Started
Pictures & Videos
Voice Notes
Games
Call History
Windows Live
Voice Command
ActiveSync
Office Mobile
Windows Media
Tasks
Internet Explorer
Settings
Contacts
Calendar
Messaging
Overall, I must say it is much more polished than my q9c and not bad for $149 with new line contract. Too soon to say anything about battery life yet, however it is still running on the initial factory charge and only dropped from 3/4 to 1/2 in 20 hours of being on and mildly used. Data is typical HTC fast and should make it a good pants pocket phone for me instead of jeopardizing my now aging and harder to replace mogul/titan. This is good for me especially since my q9c seems to have forgotten how to shut off it's display of late.

Yes this Phone is very cool

I've got the old T-Mobile Dash (HTC Excalibur) and was wondering if the screen readability in sunlight has been improved?
I've always been upset that I can't seem to read the screen at all when I'm outside and the sun is shining. I've noticed that friends with blackberrys and iPhones don't seem to have the same problem.

What is The Big Deal with WM6.5 ?

I have recently seen alot of ROMS for WM6.5 and they all look the same from the screenshots.... ugly!
I mean what is with all the HUGE text listed down the screen, am I the only one who thinks this is a stupid setup? What happened to the Start Menu and clean today setup?
Are people just updating to WM6.5 just 'cos its 6.5, or do you actually like the look of it? Please give your opinions on WM6.5, and more importantly what is the difference between WM6?
I am using WM6.1 on 2 of my devices as I like the Today Screen feel and the way everything is set out. I am contemplating putting 6.5 on a device just to test it out, is it really worth it? is it customizable to make the home screen not just BIG words down the screen? maybe a clock even lol.
thanks everyone for your opinions.

i think it looks great.

As long as you have good apps installed to cover nasty WM UI no matter if you have 6.1 or 6.5
I personally do not like the honeycomb, but I do like that the hole UI is more finger friendly
Let´s see the WM7!! hope they really impress us

I like it because its 6.5 that .4 of more awesome 1337ness!!!! lol.. I actually just like the better slightly larger menu buttons. the new start menu is neither here nor there for me.. I don't like titanium, it has potential, but till you can have more than one link on click per panel it is pretty lame to me.. seems to take more effort to get to my necessary apps with it than without it.. I have been using wad2 on my last few flashes. My device is i910 Omnia, with the BlazingWolf 7.1 rom.

On my observation, the main advantages of WM6.5 over WM6.1 are:
RAM Managemenet: In WM6.5 I never need to run the apps to clear RAM. Any time I quit a program, the RAM will be released imediately.
Power Consumption Controll: The battery life is noticably enlonged copare using WM6.1, on same load.
Connectivity: One example is on WM6.1 any time I'm using Internet Sharing I need to manually switch phone band to WCDMA to ensure stable fast data connection. And if I forget to switch it back to GSM or Auto after finished the Internet Sharing, phone calls on 3G mode will drain the battery very fast. But on WM6.5, I noticed that I don't need to switch phone band again, just leave it as Auto. The OS is so smart that it knows what time to switch to what band. Example, when I use internet sharing, it will stay at 3G for most of the time. When I make or receive a phone call, it will switch to GSM immediately after the phone connected.
Finger Touch Experience For this I don't explain more, it's just much more comfortable on finger/stylus responds.
Third Party Apps Interface: Well I'm not a developer, but from the changes on some registry structure, I can definitely tell that WM65 will be more friendly to third party application developers.
These are very core elements of a mobile os. The progress of wm65 on these points is obviously noticable.
But because the change of the core. It causes a big problem on legacy apps compatibility. People find that a lot of apps running well on wm6 just can never run on wm65.
But I think currently both Microsoft and third party software vendors are working tight on this issue. At least for most part of popular softwares, we can find a wm65 compatible version now. But for some speciall software, we can not find it if the developer did not upgrade it.
For sure, there are certain advantages of using 6.5 over 6.1. (The advantage is not only 'skin' things that you can see it, more important is on the 'core'.)
Hence your choice just depend on what softwares you're using. If for all your 'must-have' softwares you can find a WM6.5 compatible version or its replacement, why not use WM6.5.
Edit: I don't like the Titanium & the headache to customize it either. I just disabled it & leave an 'empty today', but with HButton, I can reach all frequently used apps within one single touch.
The RAM used by Titanium is 3.5MB+, compares to HTC Home @1.5MB+, & M2D @ 7MB+.
I like the looking of Honeucomb,(for showup only), but I also use QuickMenu, which is more functional.
Must to say that above experience are from the single ROM I've used only, maybe there are performance variaties on different ROMs & devices.
And at last, one of my most favarite part is the new PIE, it definitely can display whatever a desktop ie does except only one tab allowed.

I like 6.5. I find it runs pretty well on the kaiser, and I prefer its look to the old Windows 3.x interface found in the older versions. Plus, the finger scrolling is superb. And if you don't like the honeycomb, there are other start menu layouts, one example here. WM6.5 is just a band-aid to hold us over until WM7, but it's still a step in the right direction for Microsoft.
Dave

Yes, I think i will be waiting for wm7, but i just can't help myself any longer and I am going to take the plunge to wm6.5 on my Elfin or Wizard just to give it a go, I think it should run well on the elin with the RAM it has and without really checking out the custmizations, my assumptions is basically on the interface on standard screenshots i have seen.
thanks for the input guys, only a flash will i be able to add further opinions, as i am a heaver modder, and would need this to offer proper insight into the OS.

I've bounced back and forth between a couple 6.1 and 6.5 ROMs. I use TouchFLo because I hate 6.1's today screen and Titanium is pretty bland. I think that the current touchflo manila 2.1 is about the best you can get for WM6.1 currently, but I don't think manila 2.1 is streamlined for WM6.5. I feel like I'm taking a step back in integration and fluidness when I use Touchflo 2.1 and WM6.5. Not much, but it just seems off. This leads me to think that the new manila 2.5 is HTC's update to bring that integration and fluidness to WM6.5. The specualtion is that manila 2.5 is going to be for the new Firestone. While that is probably true, HTC has also mentioned that the new Topaz and Rhodium will get WM 6.5 upgrades. I would like to assume that this upgrade will also include manila 2.5 because if I feel that WM6.5 and TouchFlo 2.1 is lacking a complete feel then I would take that HTC has also noticed this. Yeah, I'm rambling I know. Just my thoughts. Bottom line on WM6.5 is that it seems like Microsoft just made a piss poor attempt at skinning there relic OS. That just pertains to the aesthetics though. I know there were unseen changes that do have their benefits.
(Sorry for all the "I feel and I would assumes", just ponderings)

Sprint Touch Pro2 WinMo 6.5+ ROM Recommendation

Can I please get a recommendation for the specific ROM to use for my Sprint Touch Pro2? Please provide link.
Window Mobile 6.5 (or 6.5.3)
efficient, stable, without the bells and whistles (No touch flow required)
Thanks!

I really like Mighty Mike roms...he also includes the default titanium as well. I have noticed it to be very stable. The phone had been on for about a week before I just reset right now (for no reason at all). Everything runs great and I haven't had any freezes since installation 2 weeks ago.

Sprint Touch PRO WinMo 6.5.6 + SENSE 2012 ROM Request
i just upgraded to the sprint touch pro 2 I'm looking for a ROM with good facebook integration, good mms for sprint and of coarse fast alot like vetitos

SPB mobile shell has some nice facebook integration. It can be installed on any 5.0+ version of windows mobile.
If you are looking to stay with TF3d and sense, I believe most ROMs will have the facebook app and some sort of facebook > contact picture recognition.

yea but idk any roms 4 sprint touch pro 2 or an unlocker u have links?

unlocker: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=578660
sprint tp2 roms: http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=98
Just so I get access to the most popular roms usually I will sort by view count or post count.

I use mightyrom, only annoying thing is some of the apps are built into the ROM. So when an update comes you have both versions installed.

I use MalRom; it works out of the box; as we all know Sprint MMS is usually an issue when you go custom, not the case here.
It is smooth as ice, you'd like it.

Do you have a link to MalRom?