Windows Mobile 6.5 Losing the Honeycomb Look

When Microsoft unveiled Windows Mobile 6.5 last month, many looked askance at the new Start Menu. The hexagonal tiles weren't popular, and have quickly been dropped.

Previously, the Start Menu was a drop-down list of the user's favorite applications, while the Programs screen listed had all the software installed on the device. In 6.5, these two have been combined, and tapping on the Start icon opens up a screen listing all the apps.

The original plan was for the application icons to appear in large hexagonal tiles. However, Microsoft asked a group of its employees to try out Windows Mobile 6.5, and when the honeycomb look was not popular it was removed.

This is an entirely cosmetic change, though. The program icons will still be spaced just as far apart; the tiles just won't be outlined. The goal of all this is to make it easier to for users to launch applications with a finger, instead of a stylus.

This change was announced by Loke Uei Tan, Senior Technical Product Manager of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Group at Microsoft, during a presentation at MIX.

More about Windows Mobile 6.5
The next version of Microsoft's operating system for high-end phones isn't a major upgrade, but it will include significant changes to its appearance.

It will be more fingertip friendly, with many on-screen elements enlarged so users can select them without a stylus. Windows Mobile 6.5 will also have more of a focus on consumers, as the Today Screen has been modified to include items like a music player and photo viewer.

An overview of the changes can be found in this article: Windows Mobile 6.5 Is Official, but Not Coming Soon

Source: ars technica