Welcome to the Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 5.0 Reviewers Guide. It discusses the overall vision of this release, details what’s new since the last major release, in 2002, offers a full feature chart that discusses specific product capabilities, and gives basic instructions on how to use the features.
Mobile devices are becoming more widely used. According to analyst firm IDC, by the end of 2005 there are expected to be more than 1.685 billion active wireless subscribers in the world.1 The growing adoption of mobile technology has been reflected in the sale of Windows Mobile-based devices. Five years ago, the first Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs were shipped from three hardware partners. Today more than 40 device-makers are shipping innovative Windows Mobile-based products with more than 70 mobile operators in more than 50 countries.
Just as mobile device use has become more commonplace, users have become more sophisticated. People are demanding more from their devices: Consumers want richer multimedia experiences; quick, reliable Internet connectivity for messaging, e-mail and browsing; and the ability to personalize their devices to their liking. Mobile workers want to be able to do more and have less downtime while traveling. The demand for increased mobile capabilities is expected to continue: According to Gartner Inc., by 2008, over four-fifths of mobile knowledge workers will have access to wireless e-mail.2
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