Windows Mobile 6.5 Officially Released for Samsung Epix

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Samsung has FINALLY released Windows Mobile 6.5 for the Samsung Epix.

I have yet to install it, but hizhonor at HoFo reports:

• Fixes GPS issue
• Smoother operation that using Trashcan’s ROM

Things to note before upgrading to Windows Mobile 6.5

• Back up everything on your Samsung Epix you don’t want lost. Upgrading will delete all the files on your phone.
• There does not appear to be an official means for rolling back to Windows Mobile 6.1. If you decide to upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5 you are most likely stuck with Windows Mobile 6.5.
• Windows 7 users: Run the installer in “Vista Compatibility Mode”

If you try the update, leave a comment about your experience!

(Picture of Samsung.com’s new Samsung Epix software support download options)

Windows Mobile 6.5 unofficially available for Samsung Epix

Windows Mobile 6.5 has been unofficially released for the Samsung Epix.Windows Mobile 6.5 is the next release of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system and with the intent of creating a more finger-friendly (touchscreens are becoming all the rage and styluses are archaic) interface. As far as I understand the changes to Windows Mobile 6.5 focus on aesthetics and usability, rather than changing the unpinning structure of Windows Mobile (that’s what Windows Mobile 7 aka Microsoft Phone will do… I hope).

Anyhow, here are a couple screens of Windows Mobile 6.5 running on my Samsung Epix. Below I’ll explain how to install Windows Mobile 6.5 on your Samsung Epix, along with some of the known issues.

Things to note before installing Windows Mobile 6.5

• This install is UNOFFICIAL. Neither Microsoft, Samsung, or AT&T support Windows Mobile 6.5 on the Samsung Epix.
• BACKUP ALL YOUR DATA! This upgrade will ERASE your phone (contacts, files, messages, emails, etc).
• You can revert back to Windows Mobile 6.1 after upgrading to Windows Mobile 6.5 (thought I haven’t tried).
  • Reflash your Epix using Trashcan’s Clean Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM
  • Re-update using Samsung’s ID1 Update (this will have the negative effects on your GPS, if you’ve already upgraded to ID1 then all the damage has already been done)
• It is possible something could go wrong during the upgrade and you could brick your Samsung Epix. Perform this upgrade at your own risk!
• There are still some bugs with this ROM.
• All this being said, I’ve installed this update and have been using it for a week – and my Samsung Epix seems to be more stable that before.
• Read through the official forum at xda-developers.com
• Watch Tom Beauchamp’s video of Windows Mobile 6.5 on the Samsung Epix

Installation Instructions

A fellow that goes by the name of trashcan cooked up a Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM that mostly works with the Samsung Epix.

You will need a Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (all versions must be 32-bit, I couldn’t get 64-bit Win 7 to work).

Download the following files:

• Windows Mobile 6.5 build 23017 15MB page pool BIN (Mirror 1)
  • Check the first post of this thread for newer BIN versions
  • Microsoft contacted me and told me to take PDA6.5_15mbPP.bin of mysamsungepix.com
• USDL GrandPrix v1.6.4 (Windows XP/Vista/Win 7) (Mirror 1) (Mirror 2, XP) (Mirror 2, Vista)

1. Verify that your Samsung Epix can connect to your Windows computer via USB. You should be able to browse your Samsung Epix in My Computer > Mobile Device and/or make a successful connection via ActiveSync. If you cannot do this, the GrandPrix program most likely will not see your Epix.
2. Turn off your Samsung Epix, but it connected to your Windows computer via USB.
3. Start USDL GrandPrix (Windows 7 users run the Vista version)
4. Under “Select a profile” choose “GRANDPRIX LV image”
5. Click the “PDA” button and locate the Windows Mobile 6.5 BIN file.
6. Press the Detect button in USDL GrandPrix
7. Power on your Samsung Epix
8. Wait for the process to full complete (mine idled at “Writing Dummy CSC Header” so I moved to the next step and everything was fine).
9. Power off your Samsung Epix (may require a battery pull if your CSC Headers hang).
10. Power on your Samsung Epix.
11. The first “boot” of your Samsung Epix may take a while (up to 5 minutes) so don’t panic if your phone seems unresponsive at the orange Windows Mobile screen – be patient.
12. Complete the Windows Mobile 6.5 setup wizard and voila – Windows Mobile 6.5 on the Samsung Epix.

Check out this shoddy screencast I made of me updating to Windows Mobile 6.5 if you’re still confused.

Known Issues with Windows Mobile 6.5 build 23017

• Exchange Calendar does not sync. Selecting the Calendar to sync will break your ActiveSync connection with your exchange server. Fixed with update to build 23017 w/ 15MB page pool
• Mouse pointer sometimes produces visual artifacts. I don’t use the mouse, I use 4-way, so I move the mouse cursor to the lower-left corner of the screen so only the tip of the arrow is showing and switch to 4-way (Fn-N on the Today screen) which makes this a non-issue for me.
• GPS is still messed up from ID1 update (after using GPS, your battery life will quickly run out)
• Read through Trashcan’s thread on xda-developers.com