I’ve received several emails from readers asking why I haven’t posted anything on Windows Mobile 6, the new Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system…

Well, here’s the thing – I have had a certain device running this OS for a while now, and while I really like the new look and features of WM6, the particular device that I have it running on is not necessarily a device that is or will ever be authorized run this OS. So some of hardware features on the device have been buggy, and some of the features that I would have expected to just work have been giving me fits (to put it mildly). But I truly believe that it is the fault of the hardware in this case, because I have also seen WM6 Pro running on the devices for which it was intended, and I’ll describe it with my best Borat voice, “is niiiiiiiiice!”

Here is a screenshot from my WM6 device…

notice the included memory card encryption option

My plan now is basically to wait until I have my first authorized WM6 device, and then I will include a full overview of the OS software and features in its review, just as I have done over the past seven years as other new OS versions have appeared. So just ’cause I didn’t post a photo expose doesn’t mean I am boycotting the OS or I didn’t like it!

To be honest, there were so many leaked videos and photo documentaries on WM6 that it almost seemed “after the fact” to post anything once my handshake NDA was lifted. Hear that people? A handshake NDA means as much or more to me than a written NDA. I’ll never ”get” the mentality of the sites that rushed out and violated trust so that they could be first with the new OS stories. Sure, they got some extra hits for a while, but at what cost to their reputation and future contacts?

Wow, it’s too early on a Saturday for me to be busting out the soap box…so let me put it back under my desk.

Anyway, I have gathered some legitimate reports on WM6 – meaning that their authors managed to wait until after the embargo was lifted, which I hope you will enjoy…

Joel at Geek has posted his impressions – including tons of screen shots, and he points out, “MS also changed the names of the device-types. For example, the Smartphone is now “Standard,” the Pocket PC is now “Classic,” and the Phone Edition is now “Professional.” I know a lot of professionals who use Smartphones, so I don’t know that I agree with the new names; this doesn’t change the functionality, though, so I’m not really too concerned.”

You can read Joel’s overview here.

Chris at Mobility Site has posted a great overview video of WM6 in action, it’s almost 20 minutes long…but I could listen to his redneck ’bama accent for days.

Clinton has a running tally of WM6 goodies here.

Matt, the Mobile Gadgeteer, has posted his impressions, including a list of what he sees as improvements over the previous WM5 OS:

-Improved email menus and controls
-HTML email support Exchange Server 2007 support with advanced features such as viewing the status of meeting attendees
-Windows Live integration with a much needed Windows Live Messenger overhaul, Windows Live push email support, and more
-Office Mobile support available on all Windows Mobile devices
-Contact management improvements Security improvements to help IT managers with mobile devices
-Internet Sharing utility to use you Windows Mobile phone as a wireless modem

You can read Matt’s entire overview here.

Jason, of Thoughts Media, has posted his notes from a Mobius conference call we both participated in, on Thursday. He says, “Windows Mobile 6 has a lot of changes over the previous version, but they’re not all easily summed up in a few bullet points. Below are my notes from the call, and what I think about the new features that were discussed. Overall, I left the call feeling quite excited about Windows Mobile 6.”

You can read Jason’s article here. Jason has also published an album of Microsoft provided WM6 screenshots here…expect lots and lots of eye candy.

Ed at Brighthand explains the circumstances that led to the expedited release of WM6 when he says, “[Microsoft] gave a briefing on the upcoming version of this operating system to a French newspaper, but only under the condition that the information be kept under wraps until next week, when the official announcement was scheduled. However, the newspaper published an article yesterday giving all the details it had learned on Windows Mobile 6.”

Still want more? Look here.

And when the new WM6 devices start to appear, which they will be doing soon, get ready for some nice features.

Will your hair be blown back? Maybe, maybe not. But I think you will like the new OS overall – and I am not just saying that because the WM6 theme color is now green (although…yay!). ;-)