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Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows Mobile 6.5 is a developed by for smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), serving as the final major update to the platform before its rebranding and overhaul as . Released to manufacturers on May 11, 2009, and to consumers via devices starting October 6, 2009, it emphasized improved touch-friendly interfaces, enhanced productivity tools, and integration with 's emerging mobile services ecosystem. Built on the Windows CE 5.2 , Windows Mobile 6.5 came in two variants: for non-touch devices like feature phones and Professional for touch-enabled PDAs and smartphones, supporting processors and offering with prior Windows Mobile applications. The operating system introduced a refreshed designed for finger navigation, including a new hexagon-based that allowed swiping and rearranging of tiles, an updated Today screen with large icons and quick access to notifications, and a customizable displaying time, date, and pending alerts. Key software enhancements included Internet Explorer Mobile 6, which supported HTML 4.01 standards, Adobe Flash Lite for richer web content, and improved rendering performance; threaded messaging for , , and email conversations; and voicemail transcription via 2010. Additional features encompassed Windows Marketplace for Mobile for app distribution, Microsoft My Phone for cloud-based backups of contacts, photos, and messages, and early integration with Windows Live services like and SkyDrive. Performance improvements addressed battery life, system stability, and seamless network switching between and CDMA without reboots, while OEMs gained greater flexibility for custom branding and UI modifications. As a transitional release amid competition from and , Windows Mobile 6.5 powered devices from manufacturers such as HTC, , and , distributed globally by carriers including and . Microsoft provided support until January 8, 2013, rendering it obsolete by the mid-2010s. It was succeeded in 2010 by , a complete redesign based on a new that abandoned with Windows Mobile apps, effectively ending the Windows Mobile lineage.

Development and Release

Development

In 2008, Microsoft decided to pursue development of Windows Mobile 6.5 as a transitional update to address delays in its next-generation , originally planned as Windows Mobile 7 and later rebranded as Windows Phone 7. This stopgap measure was intended to revitalize the maturing Windows Mobile 6 platform amid competitive pressures from emerging smartphones like the , without requiring a complete architectural overhaul. The primary development objectives centered on enhancing usability for touch-based devices, incorporating visual elements inspired by the media player for a more modern aesthetic, and introducing cloud-based synchronization via services like Windows Mobile My Phone, while ensuring full with existing Windows Mobile 6 applications. These goals reflected Microsoft's aim to bridge the gap to a fuller redesign, prioritizing incremental improvements in and integration without disrupting the established . Windows Mobile 6.5 retained the Windows CE 5.0 kernel as its foundation, a choice that supported ongoing compatibility with low-power processors prevalent in mobile hardware at the time. Engineering teams focused on overhauling the for better touch interaction—primarily optimized for resistive screens, though adaptable by OEMs for capacitive displays—and implementing performance tweaks such as optimized and reduced power consumption to suit resource-constrained devices. Internal milestones included prototyping efforts starting in late 2008, followed by beta distributions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in early 2009, allowing for hardware integration testing ahead of broader rollout. This accelerated timeline underscored the project's role as an interim solution to maintain market presence during the extended development of 7.

Announcement

Microsoft publicly unveiled Windows Mobile 6.5 on February 16, 2009, at the in , , where the company demonstrated early prototypes of the operating system. The event featured a by CEO , who highlighted the platform's evolution toward a more integrated mobile experience with improved touch and user interface capabilities. This announcement marked a significant step in 's mobile strategy, positioning Windows Mobile 6.5 as a bridge to future innovations amid ongoing development of its next-generation platform. During the demonstration, showcased the "" user interface, a revamped home screen featuring vertically scrolling tiles inspired by the media player, which allowed for customizable widgets and quick access to emails, text messages, and calendars. Key highlights included enhanced finger-friendly navigation for touchscreens, improved scrolling and panning, and deeper integration with services like for Mobile, an upcoming app store for downloading applications directly on devices. Andy Lees, corporate vice president of mobile at , described the reveal as "the beginning of a new strategy: the strategy," emphasizing connectivity across PC, phone, and web ecosystems. Microsoft framed Windows Mobile 6.5 as an interim release designed to enhance with incremental improvements to the existing Windows Mobile 6.1 foundation, including better touch support and a more modern interface echoing elements of and 7. The announcement also spotlighted early partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including HTC, which committed to upgrading devices like the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2 to the new OS, and , which pledged over 50 Windows Mobile devices by 2012 starting with the GM-730 model. was among the initial OEMs expressing interest in integrating Windows Mobile 6.5 into upcoming handsets, signaling broad industry support for the platform's rollout later that year. Initial industry reactions at were cautiously optimistic, with analysts noting the updates as a necessary evolution to compete in the growing market, though some observed that the changes represented evolutionary rather than revolutionary advancements.

Release Timeline

Windows Mobile 6.5 reached release to manufacturing () status on May 11, 2009, enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to initiate device production and undergo Microsoft's certification processes. This milestone followed the operating system's public unveiling at the in February 2009, where Microsoft highlighted its enhanced touch capabilities to counter growing competition from and devices. The first consumer-available devices running Windows Mobile 6.5 launched on October 6, 2009, marking a coordinated global debut coordinated by with its partners. Notable early releases included the HTC Touch2, a compact with integrated TouchFLO interface, and the Samsung Omnia II, featuring a larger display and multimedia enhancements. These devices exemplified the initial wave of hardware optimized for the OS's improved finger-friendly navigation and tile-based . Prior to market release, OEM devices were required to pass Microsoft's , which included validation of the new () for responsiveness and compatibility with gesture-based interactions, as well as mandatory support for core features such as 6 for enhanced web rendering and standards compliance. This process ensured that hardware met minimum performance thresholds, including capacitive or resistive touch sensitivity calibrated to the OS's resizable elements. The global rollout of Windows Mobile 6.5 experienced variations, with some regions facing delays due to carrier-specific approvals and testing for network integration. While initial launches occurred across more than 20 countries by late , full commercial availability, including broader carrier support in markets like and , was achieved by the first quarter of 2010.

Technical Overview

Architecture

Windows Mobile 6.5 is built on the Windows CE 5.0 kernel, with a version number of 5.2 and various build numbers such as 21139 or 21854 depending on the specific release. The kernel includes enhancements such as additional virtual memory slots (60 and 61) dedicated to MODULE DLLs, which improve system stability and performance by better isolating loaded modules. For multitasking, the default process threshold was adjusted to 28 processes (configurable via registry), optimizing resource handling for out-of-process operations compared to previous versions. Memory management saw improvements through refined virtual memory allocation and reduced usage in slot 0, allowing more efficient handling of device resources without specific changes to heap allocation mechanisms. Core components of the architecture include the .NET Compact Framework 3.5, which provides a managed environment for developing and running applications on resource-constrained mobile devices, supporting languages like C# and Visual Basic. For graphics rendering, the system incorporates Direct3D Mobile, a COM-based API derived from DirectX, enabling 3D acceleration on supported hardware such as ARM processors. The kernel manages cryptographic operations via the RSAENH module, validated to FIPS 140-2 Level 1 standards, ensuring secure data handling across components. Backward compatibility is maintained for applications developed for 6.x through compatibility layers, allowing seamless execution of prior binaries while deprecating certain legacy Win32 calls in favor of updated interfaces. This includes support for earlier Adaptation Kits (AKUs) like build 21849 and AKU 5.0.63. Security features are integrated at the level, with enhanced stores such as the Software Publishing (SPC) store and Privileged Execution Trust Authorities for verifying application signatures and establishing trusted execution environments. Remote wipe capabilities are provided through integration with and System Center Mobile Device Manager (SCMDM), enabling administrators to remotely erase all device data via secure command flows over SSL/TLS to protect sensitive information in case of loss or theft. These features enforce policies like strong password requirements and session locking to further safeguard enterprise access.

Hardware Requirements

Windows Mobile 6.5 supports ARM-based processors and is optimized for mobile hardware through its underlying Windows CE 5.0 architecture. To enable the new tile-based elements, such as the updated Today screen, Start screen, and in the edition, devices require a minimum of a 400 MHz processor, 128 MB of , and 256 MB of ROM. Devices falling short of these specifications revert to the legacy Windows Mobile 6 interface for basic functionality. Windows Mobile 6.5 includes built-in support for key peripherals, such as GPS modules for location services, 802.11b/g for wireless networking, 2.0 for device pairing and data transfer (including stereo audio profiles), and / cellular radios for mobile connectivity. Edition-specific variations affect integration: the Smartphone edition mandates built-in telephony for voice calls and , while the Professional edition requires support for touch input and optional physical keyboards or keypads for productivity tasks.

User Interface and Features

Home Screen and Start Menu

The home screen in Windows Mobile 6.5, often referred to as the Today screen, adopted a vertical, list-based layout inspired by the media player's interface, enabling inertial scrolling for smooth navigation through customizable panels that provide quick access to applications, updates, and appointments. This design emphasized glanceable information, such as the number of new s or upcoming events, delivered via plug-ins for Live services, , /, missed calls, and , allowing live updates without opening individual apps. Users could toggle between this new interactive format—supporting tap, flick, and pan gestures—and the legacy horizontal Today screen from prior versions, optimizing for touch-enabled devices with larger, finger-friendly targets. The , branded as Titanium, replaced the traditional horizontal list with a radial, honeycomb-style layout featuring hexagon-shaped icons arranged in a staggered grid, facilitating easier finger-based selection and promoting frequently used programs, settings, and favorites to the top row. This touch-optimized interface supported all screen orientations, incorporated 24-bit blended icons for a more modern aesthetic, and included inertial scrolling for browsing the full menu without scrollbars. Accessed via the Windows logo , it offered a streamlined entry point to core functions, with OEMs able to default to the legacy menu if needed. Lock screen enhancements in Windows Mobile 6.5 introduced a more interactive experience for devices with simple PIN protection (up to six digits), displaying notifications for , , emails, texts, and appointments directly on the locked , allowing users to view details without full unlocking. Multiple status-specific sliders enabled contextual actions, such as responding to a missed call, while maintaining security for stronger configurations. This design improved accessibility for quick checks, with emergency call and alarm handling integrated seamlessly. Customization options extended to theme support, including free designer themes from creators like and , which altered backgrounds, icon styles, and color schemes across the and . Widget-like plug-ins allowed additions for and previews, with users able to personalize the Start screen by adding favorites or reordering icons via settings and registry tweaks, enhancing the interface's adaptability without third-party software. OEMs and operators could further tailor plug-ins and UI elements, such as icon spacing and notification behaviors, to device specifications.

Touch Enhancements

Windows Mobile 6.5 introduced several adaptations to enhance touch input usability, particularly for devices without support, by optimizing the for finger-based on resistive touchscreens. These changes focused on making core system elements more accessible with thumbs, reducing the precision required compared to previous versions. UI elements such as buttons, menus, dialog boxes, tabs, and scroll bars were enlarged to support finger-friendly interaction, allowing users to navigate without a . Inertial was implemented across lists and menus, providing smooth drag-to-scroll with an end-of-list bounce effect for intuitive thumb navigation. Additionally, pinch-to-zoom functionality was added in , enabling users to adjust view scales using gestures, though limited by the resistive screen technology. The on-screen keyboard received improvements, featuring a larger layout with support for both and orientations to accommodate varied grips. input combined T9 and full modes, enhanced by auto-correction through the Input History feature, which learns from user patterns to suggest and fix words in . Gesture recognition was expanded to include basic swipes for scrolling through screens and menus, and flick actions for content navigation, and tap-and-hold for contextual options, all powered by the Gesture Physics Engine for animated feedback. Edge swipes facilitated task switching by revealing running applications, while simple swipes could dismiss menus or alerts. Accessibility options included high-contrast color themes selectable via , improving visibility on various displays. Touch sensitivity was adjustable with haptic vibration feedback to confirm inputs on resistive screens, aiding users with motor challenges. For instance, the Start screen's grid layout exemplified these enhancements through direct tile swiping for quick access.

Integrated Applications

Windows Mobile 6.5 included a suite of integrated applications designed to enhance and on mobile devices, with updates focused on touch-friendly interactions and . 6 served as the default web browser, built on the rendering engine for 4.01 compliance and full desktop-like rendering of web pages. It introduced a touch-optimized supporting gestures such as panning and flicking for , along with multiple zoom levels and integrated search functionality. The browser also supported Adobe Flash Lite, enabling playback of Flash-based content like videos, advertisements, and games directly on the device. Additionally, a allowed users to pin favorite websites for quick access, streamlining the browsing experience. Windows Media Player Mobile, version 10, provided core media playback capabilities with enhancements for usability on touch devices. It featured a Zune-inspired interface, including the ability to flick through album art for song navigation, and automatic pausing of audio or video during incoming calls with seamless resumption afterward. The player supported management and synchronization through the My Phone cloud service, which enabled automatic backups and syncing of music, videos, photos, and contacts across devices. Full-screen video playback included scaling options via the IAMVideoTransformComponent for optimized viewing. A preview of Office Mobile 2010 was available for Windows Mobile 6.5, offering touch-optimized versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Workspace. It provided enhanced viewing capabilities for PowerPoint presentations, including support for animations and transitions on devices. Excel Mobile included improved charting tools, allowing users to view and interact with data visualizations more effectively in a mobile context. The messaging and email applications featured a unified inbox that aggregated SMS, MMS, and into a single view with conversation threading for easier management. Push notifications were supported for accounts, delivering real-time alerts for new messages. Integration with enabled for Hotmail accounts, along with synchronization of contacts and calendar events, including features like contact photos and free/busy information in views. Additional tools included priority icons for messages, multi-selection for bulk actions, and Global Address List (GAL) lookup for enterprise users. Users could access additional applications through the for Mobile, which supported downloads of free and paid apps directly on the device.

Updates and Variants

Windows Mobile 6.5.1

Windows Mobile 6.5.1 represented a refinement to the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, focusing on improvements to the and system stability. Builds of this version surfaced in late 2009 and were deployed on newer devices to address feedback on touch interactions and performance in the base 6.5 release. It built upon the UI elements of Windows Mobile 6.5 by introducing enhancements for better touch responsiveness. Key UI tweaks included the addition of rounded corners on tiles and controls for a more modern appearance with anti-aliased edges. Smoother animations were added throughout the interface to reduce lag during navigation. The hex menu transitions were improved with a pivot control at the top of the screen, enabling flick and toggle actions for quicker access to applications and settings. An optional landscape orientation for the home screen was also introduced for better usability on devices with larger displays. For stability, the update included a revised architecture that minimized and enhanced , leading to better efficiency via improved idle detection and power optimization. Community reports noted fixes for pairing and memory issues in , addressing common complaints from the initial 6.5 release. Adoption of 6.5.1 occurred mainly through pre-installation on late-2009 devices like the , which used a refined build to support its capacitive . It was also available via over-the-air updates and custom ROMs for compatible hardware such as the HTC Touch Pro and Touch HD.

Windows Mobile 6.5.3

Windows Mobile 6.5.3 served as the final minor update to the platform, released in February 2010 primarily for high-end devices including the Sony Ericsson Aspen and via carrier-specific firmware upgrades for models like the HTC Touch Pro2. This iteration included performance enhancements such as improved memory management and reduced page load times in , contributing to faster application launching on supported hardware. Key additions encompassed official support for capacitive touchscreens and gestures, along with smoother pan and flick navigation, faster zoom and rotation, and a simplified setup process. These built on the Titanium UI refinements from prior releases, providing usability tweaks for touch interactions. On the security front, the update incorporated patches addressing vulnerabilities in and kernel-level exploits. It remained an incremental patch distributed exclusively via OEM rather than a standalone download.

Supported Devices

Smartphone Edition

The Smartphone Edition of Windows Mobile 6.5, also known as the edition, was designed primarily for voice-centric devices, emphasizing , one-handed navigation, and core messaging capabilities without the comprehensive Office Mobile suite available in the Professional variant. It mandated an integrated cellular to enable full phone functionality, distinguishing it from non-phone devices, and supported a streamlined interface suited to smaller, non-touch or minimally interactive screens. This edition maintained with Windows Mobile 6.1 applications while introducing minor enhancements like improved text input and integration with services for email and contacts synchronization. Prominent examples of devices running this edition included the Motorola Q11, a business-oriented QWERTY slider launched in October 2008 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard and upgradable to 6.5, featuring a 2.4-inch non-touch display, Intel Bulverde processor at 312 MHz, 64 MB RAM, and 128 MB ROM. Another key model was the Samsung Omnia Pro B7320, released in August 2009 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard and upgradable to 6.5, which included a 2.4-inch non-touch screen, Qualcomm MSM7201A processor at 528 MHz, 256 MB RAM, and 100 MB storage expandable via microSD. The Samsung Jack (GT-i320) was a compact non-touch phone launched in October 2009 running Windows Mobile 6.5 Standard, with a 2.0-inch display, 200 MHz processor, 96 MB RAM, and 200 MB storage. These represented the edition's focus on non-touch hardware, aligning with requirements for at least 128 MB RAM and a 200 MHz processor. Devices in this edition commonly supported connectivity for data and voice, integrated radio receivers, and rear cameras between 2 and 5 megapixels, often with basic video recording. Manufacturers like , , and released several such models overall, focusing on compact form factors without physical keyboards to prioritize call handling and . Distribution centered on and , where carriers customized variants for local networks.

Professional Edition

The Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional Edition was designed for touch-enabled devices, emphasizing productivity features such as the full suite of Office Mobile applications—including Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, and OneNote Mobile—for document editing and collaboration on the go. It provided robust support for precise input, enabling and gesture-based interactions like , flick, and , which integrated seamlessly with keyboards for enhanced usability in professional environments. These devices typically featured larger screens and physical keyboards to cater to (PDA) workflows, distinguishing them from non-touch variants. Key examples of devices running this edition included the HTC Touch Pro2, released in May 2009 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and updated to 6.5 in October 2009, which featured a tilting QWERTY keyboard, a 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor, 288 MB RAM, and a 3.6-inch WVGA touchscreen. Another notable model was the Samsung Omnia II (GT-I8000), launched in October 2009 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional upgradable to 6.5, featuring a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 800 MHz Samsung S3C6410 processor, 256 MB RAM, and up to 16 GB storage. Additional Professional devices included the LG KM900 Arena, a touch-enabled slider introduced in February 2009 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional upgradable to 6.5 in select regions, with a 3-inch resistive touchscreen and 5-megapixel camera; the HTC Touch2 (T3333), a 2009 slider with 2.8-inch touchscreen and Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional; and the HTC Tilt 2 (AT&T version of Touch Pro2). Common hardware traits among these devices included at least 256 MB of for smooth multitasking with applications, expandable storage via microSD cards up to 32 GB, and integrated (802.11b/g) and 2.0 for secure enterprise connectivity and . Approximately 15 models were available from manufacturers such as HTC, , and , with some rugged enterprise options from like the ES400 for field use. These specifications met or exceeded the edition's minimum requirements of a 400 MHz , 128 MB , and 256 MB , ensuring compatibility with touch enhancements that improved keyboard integration for input efficiency. In terms of market distribution, Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional saw strong adoption in among business users, particularly through carriers like Sprint and , with variants such as the Sprint Touch Pro2 appealing to corporate professionals for its robust and handling capabilities. This focus on features helped maintain a solid foothold in the U.S. professional sector, where integration with and ecosystems was highly valued.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release in October 2009, Windows Mobile 6.5 received mixed reviews from tech media, with praise focused on incremental touch interface enhancements but widespread criticism for failing to address core usability issues or compete with contemporaries like the . commended the improved touch UI, particularly the finger-friendly menus, inertial scrolling on the Today screen, and redesigned context menus that made navigation more intuitive without a stylus. similarly noted the UI as a significant upgrade over Windows Mobile 6.1, offering smoother scrolling and larger, more accessible buttons for better overall stability and . SlashGear echoed this by describing the platform as faster and more stable than its predecessor, enhancing reliability for everyday tasks. Critics, however, frequently dismissed Windows Mobile 6.5 as an outdated stopgap measure lacking true innovation. labeled it a "superficial update" and "" effort, highlighting clunky multitasking that paled against the 's seamless performance and criticizing the retention of stylus-dependent elements in core apps like and settings. The platform's app ecosystem drew particular ire for its shallowness; while the introduction of was a step forward, it launched with a limited catalog of high-priced apps, far behind the iPhone App Store's depth and affordability. Specific reviews underscored these divides. SlashGear awarded praise to the My Phone sync feature for its robust wireless backup of contacts, photos, and messages via a web interface but lambasted the browser for sluggish speeds and inconsistent CSS rendering. Pocket-lint rated it 3 out of 5 stars, lauding the honeycomb-style and My Phone integration but decrying the persistence of outdated, non-touch-optimized menus that felt unchanged from early versions. User feedback in developer communities emphasized the OS's customization potential through third-party ROMs but frequently reported issues like frequent crashes and inconsistent across devices. Overall, sentiments from outlets like these reflected its role as a transitional product rather than a competitive overhaul.

Market Performance

Windows Mobile 6.5 experienced modest sales during its primary launch window in late and into 2010, amid a broader decline in the Windows Mobile platform's momentum. Overall Windows Mobile shipments for totaled around 15 million units, reflecting a year-over-year drop of about 1.5 million from 2008, as the platform struggled to maintain pace with rising competitors. By Q4 , Windows Mobile captured approximately 9% of the global market share, a decline from about 12% held earlier in the year, according to analyst data from that period. In the competitive landscape, Windows Mobile 6.5 lost significant ground to emerging platforms, with rising to about 4% global share in and reaching 14%, driven by the iPhone's appeal to consumers. Despite this, the platform retained strength in the enterprise segment, bolstered by its native integration with for secure email and productivity features, which helped sustain adoption among business users. Regionally, performance varied markedly: in the , Windows Mobile held approximately 18% share as of through strong carrier partnerships with and , while it fared weaker in and , where Nokia's dominance commanded over 40% of the market and limited Microsoft's penetration. Contributing to the platform's challenges, carrier support for Windows Mobile 6.5 began to wane after 2010 as operators shifted focus toward newer alternatives like , with major carriers such as delaying or forgoing support for subsequent devices.

Transition to Windows Phone

Windows Mobile 6.5 was positioned by as a transitional release to prolong the viability of the existing Windows Mobile ecosystem amid preparations for a full platform overhaul. Released in May 2009, it served as an interim update to Windows Mobile 6.1, incorporating refinements while bridging the gap to the anticipated successor. This stopgap approach allowed device manufacturers to ship compatible hardware in the interim, but it was explicitly designed without a path to the forthcoming , which launched on October 21, 2010, in and early in the United States. As a result, users of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices were required to acquire new hardware to access features, marking a deliberate break from to enable a modernized based on Windows CE 7. Microsoft's mainstream support for Windows Mobile 6.5, which began on September 10, 2009, concluded on January 8, 2013, after which the company ceased providing updates, bug fixes, or security patches. This end-of-support timeline left devices increasingly susceptible to emerging threats, as unpatched vulnerabilities could no longer be addressed officially, prompting recommendations for migration to supported platforms. The absence of ongoing maintenance accelerated the platform's obsolescence, particularly as standards evolved rapidly in the early . In terms of legacy, Windows Mobile 6.5's experimental honeycomb-style start menu, featuring resizable and customizable tiles, provided early groundwork for the dynamic, glanceable interfaces that defined Windows Phone 7's Metro design language. Live tiles in Windows Phone 7 built upon this concept by adding real-time updates and deeper integration, representing an evolution rather than a complete reinvention of tile-based navigation. To facilitate the shift, Microsoft offered developer resources including porting guides and the Windows Phone SDK, but the transition proved challenging due to fundamental differences: Windows Mobile apps relied on the Compact Framework, while Windows Phone 7 emphasized Silverlight for UI and XNA for games, necessitating extensive code rewrites for most applications with no binary compatibility. Post-support, dedicated enthusiast communities sustained select Windows Mobile 6.5 devices through custom ROMs and modifications, enabling continued operation for niche applications like legacy enterprise tools into the mid-2010s despite official discontinuation. These efforts, often centered around high-end hardware such as the , underscored the platform's enduring appeal among tinkerers but could not mitigate broader security risks or revive mainstream adoption.

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