Is there a good alternative other than upgrading to WM 6.1 for threaded SMS?  I don't want to have to switch OS at home to Vista just for threading messages.

Or a slightly different tact, what are some more advantages of WM 6.1?  I'm not convinced it's worth the home upgrade costs.

This thread shows you the new features of WM 6.1

http://www.windowsmobiletraining.com/connection/forums/p/55/570.aspx#570

And here's a comparison chart between WM5 WM6 and WM6.1

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/6-1/version-comparison.aspx

Try Vito Technology's SMS-Chat. I use it on my device and it's really nice.

 http://iwindowsmobile.com/threaded-sms-messaging.html

You're not running Windows XP now? Cause ActiveSync still supports Window XP, so I don't see why you need to get Vista if you want to use a 6.1 phone.

Absolutely. Although I have Vista at home I still use XPSP3 at work and all the 6.1 mobile devices I've used work perfectly with AS 4.5.

Welcome to the Connection, Marauderz. Thanks for reminding us about this. And, I agree completely - I've had perfect results at the office running XP SP2 and ActiveSync with my WM 6.1 HTC S620. This setup also works great with PC-to-phone apps such as SOTI's Pocket Controller, which I use for capturing screens, etc.

Welcome Marauderz !

Marauderz:

so I don't see why you need to get Vista if you want to use a 6.1 phone.

I think lukewarm81 thought that he needed Vista to run a WM6.1 device - but this is not tha case. WM6.1 is perfectly compatible with ActivesSync and Windows XP.