A few days ago, Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its operating system for cellphones and smartphones, Windows Mobile 6.5. Normally, a “point” upgrade, which means an upgrade between whole numbers, say from 6.0 to 7.0, is an upgrade of less significance.

Not in this case. Windows Mobile 6.5 is a ginormous improvement over previous mobile versions of Windows, especially from 6.1, the previous version. All phones running Windows, like this Palm Treo Smartphone, should be available for an upgrade later this year.

The best thing about Windows Mobile 6.5 is that it’s so…un-Windows-like. Windows has always been for desktops and laptops — interfaces meant to be large and used with a mouse. Cellphone/smartphone screens aren’t like that. They’re tiny, making navigation a pain. Too many icons means too much clutter; it’s too hard to find anything.

The new version is gleefully clear of clutter; it’s much more sleek and iPhone-like, which is a great improvement. Another tremendous improvement — let the pigeons loose! — is that it sports a new Internet Explorer Web browser that will actually work, and display Web pages the way they should be seen on a phone.

With the new interface comes more touch-screen-ability, if I can invent a new word. With the Google Android phone and the iPhone, users are getting more used to navigating with fingers and thumbs. Windows Mobile 6.5 will allow that, and it will be much easier and more intuitive than presently.

These, and other enhancements, have got me excited. Yeah, Microsoft is taking a page from Apple’s playbook in terms of design, but I’m not against it when it makes phones more usable as communication gadgets. Hey, if you’re going to steal, steal from the best!

Look for Windows Mobile 6.5 to debut sometime in the second half of this year. It’s a ways off, but it will be worth the wait.