Why Windows Mobile 6.5 could be the beginning of the end

By now you’ve probably heard that Windows Mobile 6.5 launched last week. Since then, it has had good reviews and bad reviews, ultimately leaving Microsoft in a bit of a pickle as to how to continue.

Since the launch of 6.5, Microsoft and Danger have almost certainly lost all of T-mobile’s Sidekick data, Windows My Phone has had a couple of last minute ‘copy-cat’ features added, and Microsoft have reportedly been having an internal debate on the fate of their own Windows Mobile phone, dubbed the ‘Pink’ phone.

So with all these sobering reports about Microsoft and its mobile phone ventures, its surprising that more people haven’t been up in arms about the way Microsoft are tackling the smart phone market. They seem, to an outsider, to be copying their competitors, rather than being copied by them.

Take, for example, their mobile phone operating system, Windows Mobile. Many have labeled some of the supposedly ‘new’ features simply clones of features from the iPhone or other phones such as the Blackberry. Instead of this cloning, if Microsoft are going to get anywhere they need to diverse, spread their wings and invest in new technology rather than trying to catch up to those around them.

And what about the fact that we were supposed to see Windows Mobile 7 sometime this year? Imagine if it had been on time, and Microsoft had been able to release it around the same time as its desktop counterpart, Windows 7. Publicity would have been huge, and the Windows Mobile brand may even have been able to redeem itself once and for all. But no, once again the team hit delays.

All is not lost yet for Microsoft and its mobile endeavours. But personally, I think its about time they consider dropping Windows Mobile as an OS, or else increase development on it so much so that it becomes a viable competitor to the likes of Apple and even Google’s Android.

The choice is yours Microsoft, but you’d better hurry – the point of no return is almost nigh.