A new version of Windows Live for Windows Mobile devices brings a new launch screen, Bing search engine integration and a new version of Windows Live Messenger. Keep reading to find out more about this newest and best version of the program.
Chat, Search and Email
One of the best things about the Windows Mobile platform has been the way in which users can access their Hotmail email accounts and chat with other people on the Live (formerly MSN) network.
Now Microsoft have released a new version of Windows Live for Windows Phone, specifically for new Windows Mobile 6.5 devices but available to use on Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 handsets as well.
A new finger friendly interface awaits new users of this new mobile Windows Live, bringing effective chat, search and email to Windows Mobile Phones.
Download and Install
Windows Live requires Windows Mobile 6 or later – sadly it won’t run under Windows Mobile 5 or earlier devices.
Before installing, the app requires Microsoft’s .NET Compact Framework 3.5 to be downloaded and installed on your device if it's not already present on your handset. To check if you’re already running this requirement, browse to Settings > Remove Programs and check for it in the list.
Download Windows Live from FreewarePocketPC.net – installation is via a CAB file which should be saved on your Windows mobile device before running the installer.
Windows Live is a web based service – as such it shouldn’t be used if you don’t have a good data plan with your network provider and/or regular access to a WiFi network.
Windows Live Screenshots
Windows Live in Action
There are 3 main components to Windows Live:
These can each be accessed via the Windows Live mobile app – you can link to your Hotmail account using the app and have your emails delivered to a new mailbox in Pocket Outlook, or you can chat with friends by signing into Windows Live chat. Finally, you can search with Bing via the search box at the bottom of the Windows Live launch screen.
A nice feature meanwhile is inclusion of access to Windows Live Home, allowing you to upload photos and keep up with other users.
A Great Communications App
Windows Live is a great communication app, finger friendly and a welcome upgrade to the earlier version. Delivered specifically for the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, it thankfully runs on Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1, although users of older OS versions will be disappointed.
Naturally the best thing about Windows Live is that it is freeware, but don’t let that cloud judgment – it includes the best version of Pocket Messenger to date and the Hotmail/Live email account setup has also been improved, bringing push email to Windows Mobile, users free of charge.