Microsoft unveiled the latest iteration of its mobile device operating system during the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Windows Mobile 6.5 promises to deliver a much better user experience regarding the usability and the new features that come with the OS.

Among the most visible changes, there is the new home screen, which comes in several possible layouts. However, the honeycomb layout of the application icons is certainly the most original, as Microsoft claims that it’s more forgiving to the user’s thumb. The user can also change the order of the icons or add new shortcuts to the home screen.

Briefly, the updated operating system focuses on improving the touchscreen usability on the smartphone, revealing the powerful influence that Apple had on the market when it had released the multitouch-capable iPhone.

There are also new additions, such as an updated version of the Mobile Internet Explorer, which now comes with integrated Flash support. Developers at the Redmond giant tweaked the mobile web browser furthermore, but some reviewers think that Opera Mobile is still the way to go on Windows Mobile.

It seems that the new operating system is starting to be criticized even before its commercial release. Reviewers that had the occasion to take a closer look to Windows Mobile 6.5 expressed disappointment regarding Microsoft’s lack of interest in updating virtually nothing besides the home screen. Some even said that there was no need for a revolution, but the company still needed to narrow the obvious gap between Windows Mobile and the iPhone OS in terms of sheer usability.

In a nutshell, it looks like Microsoft didn’t really want to actually revive Windows Mobile, but instead, the update seemed more like it was a necessary thing to do in order to deliver users the sensation of novelty.

Nevertheless, while the updates to Windows Mobile aren’t so impressive, Microsoft is planning to release a web-based sync service and an online application database, so chances are that the platform might be revamped through these new features, at least.