Only six months after the launch of its Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, Microsoft Corp. announced that more than 25 phones powered by the platform are expected in market by holiday 2008 with many available today. Offering form factors ranging from touchscreens and QWERTY keyboards to dual sliders, the diverse spectrum of smartphones will be available from a wide range of device makers and mobile operators. Software plus services approach fuels adoption as applications and services, new phones, and updates reach customers.






Around the world, the open platform of Windows Mobile is best suited to meet the growing demand for smartphone experiences that are as dynamic as people’s everyday lives.

“People want their phones to reflect their personality,” said Todd Peters, vice president of marketing for the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. “With the growth we’re experiencing, people can select from an increasing number of phones, applications and services that meet their daily work and personal needs.”

Choice: A Smartphone for Every Style

Today, customers can choose from a growing portfolio of new Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones and updates, with more expected in 2008 and beyond, bringing new time-saving features, easier phone navigation and management as well as increased security safeguards. Windows Mobile 6.1 supports System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 advanced mobile policies, helping keep business information protected.

Recent related announcements include the following:

• AT&T announced that upgrades are available now for the BlackJack II, MOTO Q Global and AT&T Tilt smartphones, with new Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones launching later this year.

• Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced that its CN3 mobile computer is the first rugged handheld to operate on Windows Mobile 6.1 and will begin shipping later this month.

• The HTC Touch Diamond with TouchFLO 3D, HTC’s captivating 3-D touch interface, surpassed 1 million in global phone sales in its first three months and is expected to debut in the U.S. soon. HTC is also shipping the HTC Touch Pro and HTC S740.

• Sony Ericsson has released a beta SDK for Windows Mobile 6.1 for building and testing XPERIA Panels and applications. The SDK, integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio, offers developers a familiar environment and sets a new direction for a rich, immersive user experience with a focus on hardware-accelerated visual effects and interactivity. The XPERIA X1 will be available soon.

• Velocity Mobile announced the Velocity 103, a touchscreen device that features the easy-to-use Odyssey interface and Velocity Over the Air updates. Along with the Velocity 111 and Velocity 83, the Velocity 103 will be available later this year.

Versatility: Applications and Services Enhance the Windows Mobile Experience

Helping people discover new experiences, Microsoft created the new Total Access, a guide to everything people can do with a Windows Mobile phone. Available online by registration, the site provides exclusive offers such as trial applications, extras such as ring tones and wallpapers, and how-to content.

To accommodate the creation of new applications, Windows Mobile provides a flexible, open platform for developers. AT&T announced Nikos Konstas, an independent developer from the United Kingdom, as the winner of the AT&T Game Development Contest for Windows Mobile, the first collaboration of all members of the mobile gaming ecosystem to further innovation of games on the powerful Windows Mobile platform.

Complementing Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s online consumer services for mobile provides people with the communications and resources they need on the go. MSN Mobile provides one-stop access to MSN content, including MSNBC News, FOX Sports, MSN Entertainment, MSN Money and MSN Weather. Live Search for Windows Mobile helps people find the cheapest gas prices, movie times and more in their area. The application is available for free download at http://wls.live.com. Windows Live for Mobile enhances the Windows Mobile experience with a set of online communications and sharing tools including Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Photo Gallery for mobile.

“Microsoft’s approach to mobile software and services has the potential to be the smartphone industry’s sweet spot with strong appeal to device-makers,” said Michael Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy at Jupitermedia Corp. and MobileDevicesToday.com. “It is a longer-term vision, but one focused on the key factor for real success — the end-user experience.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.