Microsoft Updates IE Mobile, Announces Windows Mobile 6.1
IT News Online Staff
2008-04-02
Microsoft Corp., at CTIA Wireless 2008, has unveiled the newest version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which adds desktop-grade Web browsing to Windows Mobile phones. The company has also announced Windows Mobile 6.1, an update for its Windows Mobile software that includes new time-saving features, easier phone navigation and management, and increased security safeguards.
"People want a single phone that's flexible enough to meet their needs throughout their day, whether it's connecting to work or your everyday life," said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "The innovations we've added to our Windows Mobile software ultimately make it easier to manage your world."
"Microsoft is taking the necessary steps to broaden its consumer appeal while also addressing the complex mobile needs of the enterprise," said Ben Bajarin, analyst with Creative Strategies. "Internet Explorer Mobile and Windows Mobile 6.1 demonstrate Microsoft's ability to harness its technologies to bring tangible innovations and benefits to customers and partners."
The new version of Internet Explorer Mobile adds the ability to easily view full-screen Web pages and multimedia on the Web with a smartphone. By taking advantage of Internet Explorer 6 technologies and supporting established and upcoming industry standards such as H.264, Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, the updated Internet Explorer Mobile gives people a rich mobile Internet experience. The update will be available to mobile phone partners in the third quarter of 2008, with the first Windows Mobile phones using the new version expected to be available by the end of 2008.
Windows Mobile 6.1 features several key updates based on customer feedback, including the capability to make the most critical information readily available at a glance, quicker phone setup and enhanced features adapted for the small screen. In addition, Microsoft said that if coupled with System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 or Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Windows Mobile 6.1 provides the best experience for IT professionals to manage mobile phones for businesses.
Windows Mobile 6.1 will help people get more from their phones by bringing updates to what they care about most. With Windows Mobile 6.1 users will be able to accomplish the following:
- Stay up to date and share from a single location. Glance at and respond to notifications such as missed calls, upcoming appointments and new messages from the home screen as well as play music and share photos.
- Get up and running in minutes. From setting up email, a Bluetooth headset or Wi-Fi, the new Getting Started Center makes the phone experience intuitive and simple.
- Save time with features adapted for the small screen. Easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of conversations through threaded text messaging. Zoom in on text or pictures, or view an entire Web page at once.
- Help keep business information protected. Support for System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 helps administrators manage phones similarly to a Windows-based PC or access company data that may be behind a firewall; and support for Exchange Server 2007 SP1 advanced mobile policies helps businesses manage and administer security for phones while enabling people to find, share, and use information no matter where they are.
At CTIA Wireless 2008, Microsoft also announced the immediate availability of System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and plans for a Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP) to be available from mobile operators worldwide. Together with Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, the software and services provide the best solution for midsize and large businesses to manage and help protect Windows Mobile phones.
"With Microsoft's mobile solutions, businesses now have the power, control and flexibility over how they deliver information to their employees on the go," said John O'Rourke, general manager, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft. "Together with our partners, we're helping enterprises extend their reach like never before."
Mobile Device Manager offers business organizations the following benefits:
- Features to manage phones with the same ease and flexibility as Windows-based PCs, addressing IT priorities for saving resources and protecting information
- Capability to help protect sensitive business files and emails, contacts and other information through file and storage card encryption on the phone should it be lost or stolen
- Ability to access more of the information mobile workers need for staying on top of their jobs via a mobile virtual private network, which provides security-enhanced access to company data and application updates over the air
Microsoft said it is in discussions with leading operators AT&T, O2, Orange, TaTa Teleservices Ltd. and Verizon Wireless to deliver the Microsoft Mobile Services Plan. MMSP is a set of core software and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1 phones, whether working with one or more operators, saving time and resources so companies can focus on other areas of mobility.
Beginning later in 2008, operators plan to offer a subscription plan that will bring businesses the following:
- A corporate-grade network and data plan to support enterprise applications and services to help people get work done with the responsiveness they expect from the network and the efficient use of battery power they want on their phones.
- A package from mobile operators, including access rights to Mobile Device Manager as well as the advanced mobile management features of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Services Premier Support and Software Assurance for Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Office Mobile running on Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones.
Microsoft said partners from around the globe are committed to updating or expanding their portfolios to Windows Mobile 6.1 beginning in the second quarter of 2008, demonstrating the strong industry demand for software that delivers one phone for all aspects of a person's life.
"AT&T customers select Windows Mobile phones because they're a fit for their lives, whether that's traveling the globe, managing the family's schedule or staying in touch with colleagues," said Mike Woodward, vice president, Business Data Service for AT&T Mobility. "We intend to update our most popular Windows Mobile phones to offer these new capabilities that help our customers get the most from their mobile experience where they live and work."
Other partners include Alltel Wireless, AT&T, ASUS, HP, HTC, i-mate, Intermec, Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm, Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, T-Mobile International, T-Mobile Germany, TELUS, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone.
Microsoft partners have announced the following new phones and updates:
Mobile operators:
- Alltel Wireless: HTC PPC6800, HTC Touch
- AT&T: Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q 9h global, Pantech duo, AT&T Tilt by HTC
- Sprint: A new Palm Treo and updates for the Mogul by HTC, Touch by HTC, MOTO Q 9c, Samsung ACE
- T-Mobile International: T-Mobile MDA Ameo 16 GB, T-Mobile MDA compact IV
Device-makers:
- ASUS: New phones including the P320, ZX1, P560, M536 and updates for the P527, P750, M930
- HTC: A new Touch Dual for the U.S. and updates for the AT&T Tilt, Touch by HTC, Mogul by HTC from Sprint, TyTN II
- i-mate: 8502, 9502, 8150, 6150
- Intermec: CN3
- Motorola: MOTO Q 9c, MOTO Q 9h global, MC70, MC9000
- Pantech: Pantech duo
- Samsung: BlackJack II
- Toshiba: Portégé G810,Portégé G910
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