Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Today Screen |
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| Company / developer | Microsoft |
| Programmed in | C++[1] |
| OS family | Windows CE |
| Working state | Discontinued |
| Initial release | 19 April 2000 |
| Latest stable release | 6.5.3 / 2 February 2010 |
| Latest unstable release | 6.5.5 |
| Marketing target | Mobile devices |
| Kernel type | Windows CE 5.2 (released in 2004) |
| Default user interface | Graphical |
| License | Proprietary (Microsoft EULA) |
| Official website | Windows Mobile (dead link, redirects to successor Windows Phone site) Windows Mobile website as archived on the Wayback Machine |
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs,[2] but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.[3][4]
Windows Mobile is based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel. and first appeared as the Pocket PC 2000 operating system. It is supplied with a suite of basic applications developed with the Microsoft Windows API, and is designed to have features and appearance somewhat similar to desktop versions of Windows. Third parties can develop software for Windows Mobile with no restrictions imposed by Microsoft. Some software applications can be purchased via the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
Most Windows Mobile devices come with a stylus, which is used to enter commands by tapping it on the screen.[5] Microsoft announced a completely new phone platform, Windows Phone, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 15, 2010. Phones running Windows Mobile 6.x will not be upgradeable to version 7,[6] officially. Several developers however, have ported Windows Phone to devices natively running Windows Mobile, an example being the HTC HD2.
Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market has fallen year-on-year,[7] decreasing by 20% in Q3 2009.[8] In August 2010, it was the fifth most popular smartphone operating system, with a 5% share of the worldwide smartphone market (after Symbian, BlackBerry OS, Android, and iOS).[9]
Contents |
Most versions of Windows Mobile for Pocket PC have these standard features:
Windows Mobile was originally developed by the English ‘feature phone’ designer Sendo based on Windows Pocket PC, itself a version of Windows CE. As Microsoft failed to provide them with enough source code access to launch their Sendo Z100 product with the expected quality, Microsoft took all Sendo’s work and passed it on to HTC, who had its HTC Canary launched as the Orange SPV 100 product. Sendo had to shift all its resources to Symbian development, but sued Microsoft and got a US$40 million dollar settlement. This did not stave off Sendo’s decadence and it was eventually acquired by Motorola.[10]
There are three versions of Windows Mobile for various hardware devices:[11]
A 'Windows Mobile Classic device' is a Windows Mobile personal digital assistant (PDA) that does not have telephone functionality. It was formerly known as the Pocket PC. It was the original intended platform for the Windows Mobile operating system. These devices consisted of both standalone Pocket PC devices without mobile phone capabilities, and those that included mobile phone capabilities. The most current name of Windows Mobile intended for use on Pocket PCs is officially "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" for devices with mobile phone capabilities and "Windows Mobile 6 Classic" for devices without mobile phone capabilities.
The 'Windows Mobile' (Microsoft's term for its range of smartphones) became the next hardware platform after the Pocket PC to run Windows Mobile, and debuted with the release of Pocket PC 2002. Although in the broad sense of the term "Smartphone", both Pocket PC phones and Microsoft branded Smartphones each fit into this category, it should be noted that Microsoft's use of the term "Smartphone" includes only more specific hardware devices that differ from Pocket PC phones. Such Smartphones were originally designed without touchscreens, intended to be operated more efficiently with only one hand, and typically had lower display resolution than Pocket PCs. Microsoft's focus for the Smartphone platform was to create a device that functioned well as a phone and data device in a more integrated manner.[12]
The naming conventions for Windows Mobile changed with each version.
| Pocket PC 2000 | Pocket PC 2002 | Windows Mobile 2003 | Windows Mobile 2003 SE | Windows Mobile 5.0 | Windows Mobile 6 | Windows Mobile 6.1 | Windows Mobile 6.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket PC (without Mobile Phone) | Pocket PC 2000 | Pocket PC 2002 | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC SE | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC | Windows Mobile 6 Classic | Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic | N/A |
| Pocket PC (with Mobile Phone) | Pocket PC 2000 Phone Edition | Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 2003 SE for Pocket PC Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC Phone Edition | Windows Mobile 6 Professional | Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional | Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional |
| Smartphone (without touch screen) | N/A | Smartphone 2002 | Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone | Windows Mobile 2003 SE for Smartphone | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone | Windows Mobile 6 Standard | Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard | Windows Mobile 6.5 Standard |
Other: Windows Mobile for Automotive 1.0, Windows Mobile software for Portable Media Centers
Pocket PC 2000, originally codenamed "Rapier",[13] was released on April 19, 2000, and was based on Windows CE 3.0. It was the debut of what was later dubbed the Windows Mobile operating system, and meant to be a successor to the operating system aboard Palm-Size PCs. Backwards compatibility was retained with such Palm-Size PC applications. Pocket PC 2000 was intended mainly for Pocket PC devices, however several Palm-Size PC devices had the ability to be updated also. Further, several Pocket PC 2000 phones were released, however Microsoft's "Smartphone" hardware platform was not yet created. The only resolution supported by this release was 240 x 320 (QVGA). Removable storage card formats that were supported were CompactFlash and MultiMediaCard. At this time Pocket PC devices had not been standardized with a specific CPU architecture. As a result, Pocket PC 2000 was released on multiple CPU architectures; SH-3, MIPS, and ARM. Infrared (IR) File beaming capability was among the original hardware features.
The original Pocket PC operating system had similar appearance to Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 operating systems.
This initial release had multiple built-in applications[14], many of them similarly branded to match their desktop counterparts; such as Microsoft Reader, Microsoft Money, Pocket Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. A version of Microsoft's Office suite called Pocket Office was also bundled and included Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Outlook. Notes, a written and sound note-taking application saw it's first release and would be supported by most later versions of Windows Mobile. Character recognition support allowed Notes to distinguish styles of handwriting to be learned by the OS during processing to improve accuracy and recognition levels.
Pocket PC 2002, originally codenamed "Merlin",[13] was released in October 2001. Like Pocket PC 2000, it was powered by Windows CE 3.0. Although targeted mainly for 240 × 320 (QVGA) Pocket PC devices, Pocket PC 2002 was also used for Pocket PC phones, and for the first time, Smartphones.[15] These Pocket PC 2002 Smartphones were mainly GSM devices. With future releases, the Pocket PC and Smartphone lines would increasingly collide as the licensing terms were relaxed allowing OEMs to take advantage of more innovative, individual design ideas. Aesthetically, Pocket PC 2002 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows XP.
New features and built-in applications included the following:[16][17][18][19]
Windows Mobile 2003 (aka wm2003 and WM2003), originally codenamed "Ozone",[13] was released on June 23, 2003, and was the first release under the Windows Mobile banner. It came in four editions: "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Premium Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Professional Edition", "Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone" and "Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition". The last was designed especially for Pocket PCs which include phone functionalities. The Professional Edition was used in Pocket PC budget models. It lacked a number of features that were in the Premium Edition, such as a client for L2TP/IPsec VPNs. Windows Mobile 2003 was powered by Windows CE 4.20. Communications interface were enhanced with Bluetooth device management. Which allowed for Bluetooth file beaming support, Bluetooth headset support and support for Bluetooth add-on keyboards. A pictures application with viewing, cropping, e-mail, and beaming support was added. Multimedia improvements included MIDI file support as ringtones in Phone Edition and Windows Media Player 9.0 with streaming optimization. A puzzle game titled Jawbreaker is among the preinstalled programs. Other features/built-in applications included the following:[20] enhanced Pocket Outlook with vCard and vCal support, improved Pocket Internet Explorer and SMS reply options for Phone Edition.
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, also known as "Windows Mobile 2003 SE", was released on March 24, 2004 and first offered on the Dell Axim x30. This was the last version which allowed users to back up and restore an entire device through ActiveSync.
This upgrade allows users to switch between Portrait and Landscape modes and introduces a single-Column layout in Pocket Internet Explorer. To make wireless internet access more secure Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) support was added. An array of new screen resolutions also debuted;VGA (640×480), 176х220, 240x240, and 480x480, to increase visual clarity and the range of form factors Windows Mobile could run on.
Windows Mobile 5.0, originally codenamed "Magneto",[13] was released at Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference 2005 in Las Vegas, May 9–12, 2005. Microsoft offered mainstream support for Windows Mobile 5 through October 12, 2010, and extended support through October 13, 2015.[21] It was first offered on the Dell Axim x51. It used the .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP3, an environment for programs based on .NET. Windows Mobile 5.0 included Microsoft Exchange Server "push" functionality improvements that worked with Exchange 2003 SP2.[22] The "push" functionality also required vendor/device support[23] With AKU2 software upgrades all WM 5.0 devices supported DirectPush. This version featured increased battery life due to Persistent storage capability. Previously up to 50% (enough for 72 hours of storage) of battery power was reserved just to maintain data in volatile RAM. This continued the trend of Windows-based devices moving from using RAM as their primary storage medium to the use of a combination of RAM and flash memory (in use, no distinction between the two is obvious to users). Programs and frequently accessed data run in RAM, while most storage is in the flash memory. The OS seamlessly moves data between the two as needed. Everything is backed up in the flash memory, so unlike prior devices, WM5 devices lose no data if power is lost. New to 5.0, OS updates were released as Adaptation kit upgrades, with AKU 3.5 being the final released.
A new version of Office was bundled called "Office Mobile" with includes PowerPoint Mobile, Excel Mobile with graphing capability and Word Mobile with the ability to insert tables and graphics. Media management and playback was enchanced with Picture and Video package, which converged the management of videos and pictures and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Among new hardware features were enhanced Bluetooth support, default QWERTY keyboard-support and a management interface for Global Positioning System (GPS). Improvements were made to ActiveSync 4.2 with 15% increased synchronization speed. Buisness customers benifited from a new error reporting facility similar to that present in desktop and server Windows systems. Caller ID now supports photos so a user can apply an image to each contact to show when a call is received. DirectShow was also natively added.
Windows Mobile 6, formerly codenamed "Crossbow",[13] was released on February 12, 2007[24] at the 3GSM World Congress 2007. It comes in three different versions: "Windows Mobile 6 Standard" for Smartphones (phones without touchscreens), "Windows Mobile 6 Professional" for Pocket PCs with phone functionality, and "Windows Mobile 6 Classic" for Pocket PCs without cellular radios.[25]
Windows Mobile 6 is powered by Windows CE 5.0 (version 5.2) and is strongly linked to the newly introduced Windows Live[26] and Exchange 2007 products. Windows Mobile 6 Standard was first offered on the Orange's SPV E650,[27] while Windows Mobile 6 Professional was first offered on the O2's Xda Terra.[28] Aesthetically, Windows Mobile 6 was meant to be similar in design to the then newly released Windows Vista. Functionally, it works much like Windows Mobile 5, but with much better stability.
Along with the announcment of Office Mobile 6.1 [29] with support for Office 2007 document formats (pptx, docx, xlsx); OneNote Mobile, a companion to Microsoft Office OneNote was added to the already installed version. In addition to the newly included programs with Office Mobile improvements were made to existing applications. Such as HTML email support in Outlook Mobile. A large number of Windows Mobile users are enterprise users buisness enviroments were targeted. With Server Search on Microsoft Exchange 2007, Out of Office Replies with Microsoft Exchange 2007, and search ability for contacts in an Exchange Server Address Book being implemented. To aid development for programmers .NET Compact Framework v2 SP2 is now preinstalled with the OS. Developers and users also have access to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition for storage and retrieval of information. AJAX, JavaScript, and XMLDOM support were added to Internet Explorer Mobile along with improved devicewide Internet Sharing. Communication abilities were further enhanced with a new Microsoft Bluetooth Stack and VoIP (Internet calling) support with AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancelling) and MSRT Audio Codec.
To improve security Microsoft added Storage Card Encryption so that encryption keys are lost if device is cold-booted. Further updates both, security and feature, can now also be provided using Operating System Live Update[30]
Among other improvements:[31] 320x320 and 800x480 (WVGA) screen resolution support (The S01SH or "Em One" by Sharp was the first and only device to have a 800x480 screen on WM5)[32], Improved Remote Desktop access[33] (Available for only certain Pocket PCs)[34], Customer Feedback option[35], Smartfilter for searching within programs and Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) support for select operators
Windows Mobile 6.1 was announced April 1, 2008. It is a minor upgrade to the Windows Mobile 6 platform with various performance enhancements and a redesigned Home screen featuring horizontal tiles that expand on clicking to display more information, although this new home screen is featured only on Windows Mobile Standard edition. This was not supported in the Professional edition.[36] Several other changes such as threaded SMS, full page zooming in Internet Explorer and 'Domain Enroll' were also added, along with a "mobile" version of the Microsoft OneNote program and an interactive "Getting Started" wizard. Domain Enroll is functionality to connect the device to System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, a product to manage mobile devices.[37] The most apparent of the other differences is that the Standard version (like prior versions) still creates automatic links for telephone numbers in Tasks and Appointments, which allows for the easier click and dial of stored telephone numbers within these Outlook items. This feature is not supported in the Professional version. Windows Mobile 6.1 also had improved bandwidth efficiency in its push-email protocol "Activesync" of "up to 40%";[38] this considerably improved battery life in many devices.
Aside from the visual and feature distinctions, the underlying CE versions can be used to differentiate WM6.0 from WM 6.1. The version of Windows CE in WM 6.0 is 5.2.*, with the final number being a 4 digit build ID (e.g. 5.2.1622 on HTC Wing). In WM 6.1, the CE version is 5.2.* with a 5 digit build number (e.g. 5.2.19216 on Palm Treo 800w).
Windows Mobile 6.5 was never part of Microsoft's mobile phone roadmap, and has been described by its chief executive, Steve Ballmer, as "not the full release [Microsoft] wanted" until the multi-touch-enabled Windows Mobile 7 (now replaced by Windows Phone) arrived in 2010.[39] Version 6.5 is an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 that was released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009; the first devices running the operating system appeared in late October 2009.[40] This minor incremental update includes some significant new added features, such as a revamped GUI, new Today screen with vertically scrollable labels (called 'Titanium').[41] WM6.5 also includes the new Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, with improved interface.[42]
Microsoft unveiled this version at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in February,[43] and several devices were supplied with it;[44] devices running Windows Mobile 6.5 and later are marketed as "Windows phones". Along with Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft announced several Cloud computing services codenamed "SkyBox", "SkyLine", "SkyMarket".[45] "SkyBox" has been confirmed as My Phone,[46] while "SkyMarket" has been confirmed as Windows Marketplace for Mobile.[47] Some aspects of the user interface were redesigned, with the home screen resembling that of Microsoft's Zune player and the sliding panel interface of Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard. This version was designed mainly for easier finger usage.[48] Some reviewers have noted interface inconsistencies, with some applications having small buttons making them harder to operate using only a finger.[49] Whilst this version of Windows Mobile does not natively support capacitive screens, mobile manufacturers have been able to use them on their devices [50]
Several phones running Windows Mobile 6.1 can be updated to Windows Mobile 6.5.[51]
In the months following the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 development shifted from Windows Mobile to it's successor Windows Phone. As such no major release were planned or released, although three minor updates; 6.5.1, 6.5.3 and 6.5.5; were made satisfy customer during the transition period between OSes. 6.5.1 brings larger user interface elements,[52] including icon based soft buttons (rather than text based),[53] an updated contacts app,[54] native support for A-GPS,[52] improved threaded text messaging,[55] and performance improvements.[56] It was unofficially ported to several Windows Mobile phones.[57]
The second minor update was announced on February 2, 2010, along with the Sony Ericsson Aspen which was the first phone to use this version.[58] 6.5.3 continues the trend of attempting to provide a more finger-friendly user interface with several new usability features such as native support for multitouch; although device maker HTC Corporation created proprietary work-arounds to allow multi-touch to work on some applications it installed on its HD2 handset(However, Microsoft applications on this handset, such as the Internet Explorer web browser, did not support multi-touch.[59]), complete touch control i.e. no need for a stylus, and drag-and-drop start menu icons. Touchable tiles replaced soft keys."[60] Internet Explorer Mobile 6 has also received some major updates including decreased page load time, improved memory management and gesture smoothing.[61] As with other updates it was unofficially ported to some other devices. Additional features include threaded email and Office Mobile 2010.[61]
The last minor update, and as of 2012 the last released version is 6.5.5. It first leaked in January 2010, and was unofficially ported to some Windows Mobile phones.[62] The name Windows Mobile 6.5.5 has been applied to these newer builds, although this name remains unconfirmed by Microsoft.
Windows Phone was launched in Europe, Singapore, and Australia on October 21, 2010, and in the US and Canada on November 8, 2010, with the rest of the world to follow in 2011.[63] Microsoft had originally planned to continue the Windows Mobile line to Windows Mobile 7, based on an upgrade to the Windows Mobile platform, codenamed Photon. The original Photon and Windows Mobile 7 have since been scrapped; however, Microsoft decided to create a new mobile OS platform and officially announced Windows Phone Series in its place.[64] Microsoft has since renamed the operating system from Windows Phone Series to Windows Phone.[65]
Windows Phone was initially intended to be released during 2009, but several delays, likely due to the move away from Photon and to building an entirely different and new platform, prompted Microsoft to develop Windows Mobile 6.5 as an interim release. During the Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona, Microsoft revealed details of Windows Phone, which features a new operating system and integration with Xbox Live and Zune services.
No phones running Windows Mobile are officially upgradeable to Windows Phone,[66] although hacked firmware with the Windows Phone OS are unofficially available.[67]
Microsoft Kin was a family of mobile telephones which started with Microsoft's purchase of Danger Hiptop in 2008.[68] Microsoft Kin was developed inside Microsoft's Premium Mobile Experiences (PMX) division.[69] Microsoft brought in employees from Danger Inc., with the intention of infusing industry talent and mobile experience into the project. The goal was said to be to create a mobile platform far superior to that of the Danger Sidekick. Reports say that Microsoft Kin was originally going to be based on Windows Phone. However, due to delays with the latter, it was built directly upon Windows CE. It featured the Zune marketplace, and used XNA as a game platform.[69]
The platform was aimed at producing phones designed for users who are heavily into social networking and instant messaging.[70] The technology acquired from Danger Hiptop has been described as a family of mobile devices running a bespoke operating system as part of a client–server system that is then licenced to mobile carriers.[71]
Microsoft introduced two new handsets based on Microsoft Kin, codenamed Turtle and Pure, possibly to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show.[72] The Microsoft designed phones were manufactured by Sharp and co-branded.[73]
The devices received very critical reviews and Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the KIN line on June 30, 2010, only six weeks after it was launched.[74]
| Year | Marketshare |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 11.3%[75] |
| 2005 | 17%[75] |
| 2006 | 37%[76] |
| 2007 | 42%[76] |
| 2008 | 27%[76] |
| 2009 | 15%[76] |
| 2010 | 7%[76] |
| 2011 | 3%[76] |
Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market grew from it's inception while new devices were being released. Peaking in 2007[76], after which it saw decline year-on-year.
In Q1 2004, Windows Mobile accounted for 23% of worldwide smartphone sales.[77] Windows Mobile was projected to overtake Symbian to become the leading mobile OS by 2010.[78] But by 2008, its share had dropped to 14%.[79] Microsoft licensed Windows Mobile to four out of the world's five largest mobile phone manufacturers, with Nokia being the exception.[80]
Although Microsoft apparently has 50 handset partners,[81] 80% of the 50 million Windows Mobile devices made have been built by one contract manufacturing group, HTC, which makes handsets for several major companies under their brands, and under its own brand.[82]
Gartner research data showed that while the total smartphone industry grew 27% between 2008 and 2009, Windows Mobile's share of the smartphone market fell 2.7% in that same period.[7] In February 2009 Microsoft signed a deal with the third largest mobile phone maker, LG Electronics, to license Windows Mobile OS on 50 upcoming LG smartphone models.[83] But in September, 2009, Palm, Inc. announced it would drop Windows Mobile from its smartphone line-up.[84] An October 2009 report in DigiTimes said that Acer will shift its focus from Windows Mobile to Google Android.[85]
At one time Windows Mobile was the most popular handset for business use, but by 2009 this was no longer the case; 24% of planned business deployments of mobile application were for Windows Mobile, putting it in 3rd place, behind Blackberry (61%) and iPhone (27%);[86] The New York Times reported in 2009 that Windows Mobile "is foundering", as cellphone makers desert it in favor of Google's Android phone platform.[87] It cited the difficulties in Microsoft's business model, which involves charging handset manufacturers up to $25 for each copy of Windows Mobile, while rival Google gives away Android for free.[88] Gartner estimated that by the third quarter of 2009 Windows Mobile's share of worldwide smartphone sales was 7.9%.[8] By August 2010, it was the fifth most popular smartphone operating system, with a 5% share of the worldwide smartphone market (after Symbian, BlackBerry OS, Android and iOS).[9]
From late 2009 analysts and media reports began to express concerns about the future viability of the Windows Mobile platform, and whether Microsoft would keep supporting it into the future.[89][90][91] Samsung announced in November 2009 that it would phase out the Windows Mobile platform,[92] to concentrate on its own Bada operating system, Google's Android, and Microsoft's Windows Phone.[93]
Software may be developed by third parties for the Windows Mobile operating system. Developers have several options for deploying mobile applications. These include writing native code with Visual C++, writing managed code that works with the .NET Compact Framework, or server-side code that can be deployed using Internet Explorer Mobile or a mobile client on a user's device. The .NET Compact Framework is a subset of the .NET Framework and hence shares many components with software development on desktop clients, application servers, and web servers which have the .NET Framework installed, thus integrating networked computing space (a.k.a. "The Cloud").[94]
Microsoft typically releases Windows Phone software development kits (SDKs) that work in conjunction with their Visual Studio development environment. These SDKs include emulator images for developers to test and debug their applications while writing them. Microsoft also distributes Visual Studio 2008 / 2005 Professional Editions, and server / database counterparts to students as downloads free of charge via its DreamSpark program.[95]
Developer communities have used the SDK to port later versions of Windows Mobile OS to older devices and making the OS images available for free, thus providing the devices with the current feature set. Microsoft has tolerated this procedure for some time but decided in February 2007 to ask developers to take their OS images off the net, which in turn raised discussions.[96] At the same time Microsoft offered upgrades to Windows Mobile 6 versions to manufacturers for free.[97]
Lazarus, Lexico, NS Basic and Basic4ppc provide alternative development environments. They allow development on a separate computer, which is then downloaded to the target device. NS Basic and Basic4ppc[98] allow development on the target device.
Some 3rd party development tools such as Basic4ppc use the .NET Compact Framework. This has been possible only for the last couple years. Prior to the release of Windows Mobile 2003, third-party software was developed using Microsoft's eMbedded Visual Tools, eMbedded Visual Basic (eVB) and eMbedded Visual C (eVC).[99] eVB programs can usually be converted fairly easily to NS Basic/CE.[100] or to Basic4ppc.
Windows Mobile applications need to be optimized for touch screen user interfaces. The developer also needs to take into the account the lower CPU performance of older devices. .NET Compact Framework thus offers only a very basic and narrowed functionality of .NET Framework. Some 3rd party tools such as Resco MobileForms Toolkit,[101] which is built into Microsoft Visual Studio, add various controls, components and libraries for Windows Mobile developers.
There is also a GCC port called CeGCC[102]. For scripting languages, there is a Python port named PythonCE, and a Tcl-Tk port called eTcl.[103] It can be used to develop applications on Windows Mobile phone.
Satellite Forms is a rapid application development (RAD) tool that can produce Windows Phone compatible applications that use an RDK runtime engine. Extension libraries extend the functionality for various hardware.
On 5 July 2009, Microsoft opened a third-party application distribution service called Windows Marketplace for Mobile.[104] In 2011, Windows Marketplace for Mobile stopped accepting new admissions.[105]
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