Awaited since Mobile World Congress, today Microsoft officially introduced Windows Mobile 6.1, which was designed to better meet people's rapidly expanding work and personal needs. At CTIA Wireless 2008, the company unveiled the newest version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which adds desktop-grade Web browsing to Windows Mobile phones. In addition, Microsoft 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, 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 e-mail, 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.

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 Corp., i-mate, Intermec Inc., Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm Inc., Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile USA Inc., T-Mobile International Inc., T-Mobile Germany, TELUS, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. The following new phones and updates were announced today:

• 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

More information about Windows Mobile 6.1 is available at Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 website.

Cheers ~ Arne