Windows Mobile is a compact mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and designed for use in smartphones and mobile devices. The current version is called 'Windows Mobile 6.5'. It is based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel, and features a suite of basic applications developed using the Microsoft Windows API. It is designed to be somewhat similar to desktop versions of Windows, feature-wise and aesthetically. Additionally, third-party software development is available for Windows Mobile, and software can be purchased via the Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
Windows Mobile for Pocket PC carries these standard features in most of its versions:
- Today Screen shows the current date, owner information, upcoming appointments, e-mail messages, and tasks.
- The taskbar shows the current time and the volume.
- Office Mobile a suite of Mobile versions of Microsoft Office applications
- Outlook Mobile comes with Windows Mobile.
- Internet Explorer Mobile is an Internet browser developed by Microsoft for Pocket PC and Handheld PC that comes loaded by default with Windows Mobile and Windows CE for Handheld PC.
- Windows Media Player for Windows Mobile.
- Client for PPTP VPNs.
- Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) which in mobile phones allows attached computers to share internet connections via USB and Bluetooth.
- Coherent file system similar to that of Windows 9x/Windows NT and support for many of the same file types.
- Ability to multitask.
DTK: Developer Toolkit
The Windows Mobile 6.5 Developer Toolkit (DTK) is not an SDK! The DTK contains emulators, gesture APIs, and samples useful for developing Windows Mobile 6.5 applications. You will still need to install Visual Studio and the Windows Mobile 6 SDK prior to running the toolkit installer.
DRK: Developer Resource Kit
The Windows Mobile Developer Resource Kit (DRK) is an offline DVD copy of the most useful and relevant Windows Mobile application development tools and resources. Traditionally the DRK does not contain any exclusive content, in that nearly everything on the DRK is available for download online.
