CIOL: Are there any changes in the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform for developers?

SG: Microsoft is expanding its development story for the first time since the launch of Windows Mobile 6. We are making it easier and more accessible to write applications.

Up until today developers had basically two options to create applications for Windows Phones - Native Code (primarily in C/C++) and Managed code (using the .net compact framework).

However with Windows Mobile 6.5 we are adding a new option for developers named “Windows Mobile Widgets”, a rich Internet application.

The Widgets are written using all the web technologies (HTML, CSS, AJAX, and JavaScript) and, are powered by our new Internet browser; hence have full access to flash and other ActiveX controls available on the device. Thus allowing the developers to look and feel, to the end user, as a normal standalone application does.

CIOL: Could you brief our developer community on the API's available through Microsoft Windows Mobile namespace?

SG: Microsoft had introduced APIs like Visual Studio and .NET Framework to improve developer productivity. The company provides APIs to create client and Web-based applications, developers can build applications through Visual Studio using Visual Basic or C# and the .NET Compact framework that allows developers to build Windows Mobile applications very quickly.

CIOL: Will Office Mobile for Windows Mobile Standard powered devices support the editing of Word and Excel documents?

SG: Office Mobile suite (Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile) has been made available to all Windows Mobile devices since the launch of Windows Mobile 6.

This feature on Windows Mobile provides greater operability and an increased level of  productivity by helping users manage, review and edit office documents easily on any Windows Mobile 6 and above powered device.

CIOL: How do you see the adoption of Windows 6.5 by Indian developer community?

SG: The best part about Windows Mobile is that the OS remains the same across the PC and phone. So developers will be able to use familiar development tools and technologies to create global market opportunities for themselves.

Windows Mobile 6.5 will allow developers to build innovative mobile applications without having to learn new skills or programming languages, by leveraging familiar desktop and server development tools such as Win32, Active Template Library and Microsoft Foundation Classes (Visual C++), Visual C#, Visual Basic .NET, ASP.NET and asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX).

Most of the developers have been developing on this platform and can leverage their Microsoft expertise and development experience to connect with millions of Windows Mobile users worldwide.

CIOL: How can developers submit their applications to Microsoft for Marketplace for Mobile?

SG: Windows MarketPlace for Mobile opened for registrations on 1st May 2009. All that the developers need to do is log on to and register themselves to submit their applications on the website by paying an annual registration fee of $99.  Once they have submitted their application Microsoft will do the vetting and certification of the application.

CIOL: When can we expect Microsoft's Facebook app for the new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating?

SG: Microsoft announced the first official Facebook application for all Windows Mobile 6 phones and newer on Friday, May 8, 2009. the service will be avialbale to the Windows Mobile users  as a free download. The Windows Mobile Facebook application is the only version on the market today offering the ability to upload video right from the phone.

People will also be able to access status updates, friend requests and photo tags, as well as read and create wall posts, share photos, send messages and update profile pictures. Facebook users will also be able to share many of their Facebook activities, including photos and status updates, across the full range of Windows Live services.