Microsoft Shows Off New Windows Mobile OS

Microsoft has launched the newest version of its mobile software platform, Windows Mobile 6. By improving usability and adding support for Microsoft Office features previously available only on PCs, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 delivers to the small screen a familiar experience to users.

"A work force that is both mobile and connected is becoming essential for business success," said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. "That's why we're integrating innovative mobile technologies into all our key products, with Windows Mobile as the centerpiece."

Windows Mobile 6 delivers the ability to view e-mails in their original rich HTML format with live links to Web and SharePoint sites, which means text and images are displayed as they would be on a PC, and are available from a corporate e-mail server such as Exchange Server 2007 or from Web-based accounts.

Windows Mobile 6 also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides customers with a set of Windows Live services.

The newest version of the platform offers the most genuine Microsoft Office system experience in the mobile versions of Office Outlook, Office Word, Office Excel and Office PowerPoint by bringing capabilities once available only on the PC versions of these products to the small screen.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server.

Windows Mobile 6 also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.

Broad Industry Support

By the second quarter of this year, the world will see the first Windows Mobile 6 powered devices available on the market. In Europe, Orange plans to deliver the SPV E650 smartphone from HTC, and in Japan, SoftBank Mobile will offer new devices from Toshiba and HTC. And in the United States, the T-Mobile Dash will be updated with Windows Mobile 6 and be available in the coming months. Current T-Mobile Dash owners will also be able to upgrade existing devices with Windows Mobile 5.0 to Windows Mobile 6.

"T-Mobile is excited to make it even easier for our customers to stay connected to the people that matter most with the increased functionality delivered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6,? said Cole Brodman, senior vice president and chief development officer at T-Mobile USA. ?The T-Mobile Dash is already one of our best-selling smartphones, so we're thrilled to improve on an already great communications experience for our customers."

Windows Mobile 6 comes fresh on the heels of a year which saw Microsoft's worldwide converged mobile device shipments grow 135.3 percent (year over year) in 2006, according to IDC."

Posted to the site on 13th February 2007