This article from Gartner has identified five major trends that will impact the mobile device market through 2009.

Established Vendors Consolidate and New Players Join the Fray.

Device Vendors Build Out Ecosystems.

Devices Makers Will Focus on Removing Complexity for the User.

Mobile Devices Increasingly Become Lifestyle Statements.

High-End Device Platforms Become “Field-Refreshable."

 

The last item - 'field-refreshable' - I think is an important topic.  As the article explains, as people spend more and more on their devices, they expect them to last more than a few years and certainly expect them to be upgradeable.

I'm not sure that I would want them to remove all the complexity from the user. I believe that there are many power users who want a powerful device and are willing to take the time to learn the complexities of the device.

 

 

Laura Rooke:

Devices Makers Will Focus on Removing Complexity for the User.

Laura Rooke:

power users who want a powerful device and are willing to take the time to learn the complexities of the device

It would great to satisfy both camps.

To a degree, a novice can pick up a Windows Mobile and begin using the basic features. A power user can pickup a vanllia Windows Mobile and began making the alterations to suit themselves.

Microsoft can pseudo segregate these two roles, allowing a basic user to access the features they will need easily while 'hiding' the extended features. This level can also have detailed tutorials to show how easy it is for somebody to use Windows Mobiles.

They can then retain a power user mode which offers all of the functionality that we are used to. It may even allow Microsoft to increase the level of customization for a super user without the risk of a basic user bricking their handset.

It would be great to have this on a single OS, rather Windows Mobile Home through to Windows Mobile Ultimate, but the option is there if their business model calls for it.

Biomehanika:

It would be great to have this on a single OS, rather Windows Mobile Home through to Windows Mobile Ultimate, but the option is there if their business model calls for it.

Yes...this would be a great way for Microsoft to market the WM OS...WMH thru WMU each "version" on the OS adding and building options and functionality for the user. I was reading the same article and the key feature that stuck out to me was "Smartphone as a Lifestyle Statement" I have taken this same approach with our WM accessories Division - which I am hoping to have redesigned and finished by the end of this month.....If Microsoft can create a buzz and campaign around "Lifestyle" I think they are on to something huge!

Biomehanika:

It would be great to have this on a single OS, rather Windows Mobile Home through to Windows Mobile Ultimate, but the option is there if their business model calls for it.

Isn't this what HTC have been striving to achieve with their today screen plugin/replacements? ou use Manilla for the Novices and the Pros can configure the Today screen to suit their needs. I'm loving Manilla as a front end right now.

I would like to see a single version of Windows Mobile which asks if you are a Novice or a Power User when you first fire up the device.

The Novice option hides certain customization features which only a Power User would want to access, uncluded a built in Registry Editor. You can then have options deeper within the OS, if you wish to upgrade from Novice to Power User.

The ability to lock down certain features would be great from an enterprise administrator perspective. To know that the device out in the wild is not going to be tampered with by a employee who thinks they know better, would make me feel a whole happier than giving them a device which I know they can 'upset' if they venture too deep unwittingly.

Biomehanika:

The ability to lock down certain features would be great from an enterprise administrator perspective. To know that the device out in the wild is not going to be tampered with by a employee who thinks they know better, would make me feel a whole happier than giving them a device which I know they can 'upset' if they venture too deep unwittingly.

You can do this right now through group policy and Exchange if you are running WM 6.1 and Exchange 2007 SP1.

 

Dave Parker MVP:

You can do this right now through group policy and Exchange if you are running WM 6.1 and Exchange 2007 SP1

Thanks for the pointer Dave.

A quick search has revealed these two great articles covering this:

1. Defining a Security Policy for Windows Mobile Pocket PCs
2. Exchange Server 2007 SP1: Take control of your Windows Mobile devices

The first article explains how you should approach when governing your Windows Mobile devices, the second shows the option on Exchange 2007 SP1 for the options available to complete the policies.

Going just a touch off-topic, but for anyone who's interested, I looked up MS's official resources about device management with Exchange, and found a whole library of white papers, reports, etc., about the capabilities of System Center Mobile Device Manager and Exchange 2007. I also saw one Word doc that presents a very concise summary of both SCMDM and Exchange 2007. Enjoy.