Today
at Mobile World Congress 2008, Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is
releasing a new version of its Windows Live Mobile Developer Program, enabling
developers to create mobile versions of its popular Windows Live services that
can be built for virtually any mobile phone independent of phone operating
system. Microsoft also announced Windows Live @mobile, a new program that allows
operators to adopt and deploy Windows Live services. These two initiatives will
enable Microsoft's developer community to deliver compelling Windows Live
services and provide flexibility to access the Windows Live platform to innovate
on top of those services. In addition, mobile operators can connect their
customers to Windows Live, one of the largest communications and sharing
networks in the world, create additional revenue opportunities and enhance the
customer experience.
Windows Live Mobile Developer Program
These latest updates to the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program include new
features to Microsoft's Mobile Services Protocol and a new software development
kit (SDK), enabling developers to create mobile versions of Windows Live
Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces that can work on any
phone operating system. These updates give developers the capability to create
applications with an exceptional user experience and more advanced
functionality, all built on a WS*-compliant protocol.
Microsoft launched the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program more than two
years ago. Today, over 70 independent software vendor partners are building
applications that work on more than 800 devices equipped to support Windows Live
for Mobile. Recently Nokia, with its Series 60 platform, adopted the Mobile
Services Protocol to offer new capabilities to its mobile phone offering,
including the ability to share media files within an instant messaging
conversation and e-mail, integrated access to users' Windows Live Contacts and
phone address book, and one-click file photo upload to users' Windows Live
Spaces.
"Our relationships with operators and developers are key to our strategy. By
providing developers with access to these platforms, we are enabling operators
to provide access to Windows Live services for their customers and make money as
well," said Matt Champagne, director, Product Management, Mobile Communications
Business at Microsoft. "Our Windows Live @mobile program is all about enabling
operators to deploy our services as quickly as possible by providing standard
ways to launch our services."
Windows Live @mobile
Microsoft is also announcing the availability of Windows Live @mobile, a program
that enables mobile operators to deploy a set of standard Microsoft mobile
services such as Windows Live for Mobile and MSN Mobile to their customers
quickly and efficiently. These standard deals support different business models,
providing operators with several choices, including subscriptions, transactions
or advertising so they fit with their existing business or new business ideas.
Operators can choose to deploy browser-based services that work on nearly any
phone with a data plan or with any of the certified third-party clients
developed by Microsoft partners.
Currently, @mobile is available in 46 countries and is expanding to additional
markets in the next year. Additional information on both Windows Live @mobile
and the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program can be found at
http://msnmobile.members.winisp.net.
Cheers ~ Arne
