I have played with an official build of WM 6.5 for about a day now, and while it does not feature the sleekiest user interface on the block, I have found it enjoyable. My thoughts had been that after using TouchFlo 3D, there was no way I would like or enjoy using the 6.5 interface.

Surprise! I like it.

Unfortunately, this v6.5 ROM isw plagued by the same problem of poor quality video recording that I have encountered on every other v6.5 ROM I have played with on the X1. Unless I find a v6.5 ROM with excellent quality video recording, I will have to switch back to a v6.1 ROM – and TouchFlo 3D. Or perhaps I might just go get another phone for my video recording needs

Anyway, enjoy the following screenshots:

WM 6.5 home screen with some extra plugins installed. Sweet

WM 6.5 start menu

Viewing a contact

Editing a contact

Browsing through the collection of applications on the MarketPlace

In all, I found the menus and icons finger friendly. The home screen works well and can be extended with a growing number of plugins.

In addition, Microsoft’s integration of its different services such that once the user’s Live ID details are entered in any one of the applications e.g. My Phone, those details are automatically inserted into the login fields for all of the other services e.g. Windows Live, MarketPlace. Saves users a lot of repeated typing of user login details.

While not an earth-shattering upgrade, Windows Mobile 6.5 is a significant improvement on the now dated 6.1. If your v6.1 phone is upgradeable, go for it!! If not, go flash a 6.5 ROM on it