After some months of Beta testing, Microsoft Corp. today officially launched the new MSN Mobile, a completely redesigned and reengineered portal offering an exceptional experience when accessing the Internet and Web services on mobile phones and Windows Mobile smartphones. Now available in the United States at http://mobile.msn.com from mobile phone browsers, MSN Mobile provides customers with one-stop access to E-Mail, news, sports, entertainment, local movie listings, maps and directions, as well as Windows Live services such as Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Spaces, and Live Search:

MSN Mobile gives consumers a quick and easy way to find the content and services they need while on the go and features new technologies that customize the experience for each consumer's device.

Of the more than 230 million U.S. mobile subscribers, roughly 180 million have Web-enabled phones, according to Local Mobile Search (LMS), a joint advisory service of Opus Research and Sterling Market Intelligence. MSN Mobile will deliver to this vast number of customers the following advantages when accessing their world of relationships, information and interests from their mobile device:

• Easy navigation and access - To enable mobile customers to quickly and easily access their favorite Windows Live services and Web content, MSN Mobile has been designed for one-stop access with easy navigation, quick links and shortcuts. When customers open http://mobile.msn.com on their mobile phone, one click takes them to their Hotmail inbox, where they can read, reply to or compose messages, or to other Windows Live services such as Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces to stay in touch.
• Optimized rendering - Many Web pages don't display well on mobile phones and are hard to navigate, but MSN Mobile is designed to deliver a high-quality experience on mobile phones. Sophisticated engineering and extensive testing that was invested in MSN Mobile helps ensure that the MSN platform detects the user's device and delivers a page optimized for that mobile phone each time a user requests a Web page.
• The familiarity of MSN - MSN Mobile keeps customers informed in an entertaining and engaging way on their phone. It's the mobile Web that's much like the Web on the PC. Customers can browse the latest headlines from MSNBC or FOX Sports or click on a story for more information. MSN Mobile includes vivid photos with news and sports, financial charts that help bring news and information to life, local information with movie listings and reviews, local weather, and Live Search to easily find phone numbers, addresses, maps and directions - right on the mobile phone.
• Extensive availability - Designed to work on all devices with Internet browsers utilizing Wireless Application Protocols (WAP) 1.2 or greater, MSN mobile will work and look great on a wide range of mobile devices. A complete list of compatible devices is available at http://mobile.msn.com on the PC.

Easy navigation, extensive availability and advanced mobile technologies combined with engaging, in-depth and up-to-date content from partners such as MSNBC and FOX Sports deliver an exceptional customer experience. FOXSports.com, MSN's exclusive online sports partner, will serve as MSN Mobile's exclusive sports channel in the U.S., providing fans with leading-edge sports content designed specifically for mobile devices. In addition to delivering breaking news, scores and player updates, FOXSports.com on MSN Mobile will allow fans to easily browse through team pages, stats, game schedules and exclusive stories from FOXSports.com's leading stable of writers, analysts and television personalities.

"We believe consumers want to see their favorite Web sites optimized for their mobile phones, while having them remain easily accessible and free of charge," said John Smelzer, senior vice president and general manager of mobile for Fox Interactive Media. "FOXSports.com is an integral part of MSN.com, so extending that experience to the mobile Web makes perfect sense. We look forward to working with MSN and the carriers to usher in the next wave of mobile content."

Microsoft is also pursuing alliances with operators to integrate MSN Mobile on their own WAP home page so mobile operators can leverage Microsoft's investment and development work to bring an improved mobile Internet experience to their subscribers. MSN Mobile creates additional opportunities to jointly pursue mobile advertising opportunities with local businesses, mobile operators, advertisers and publishers. Combining the power of Microsoft adCenter and the recent ScreenTonic acquisition, MSN Mobile will provide mobile operators with syndication capabilities and the power to provide customers with relevant and helpful advertising links.

The new MSN Mobile is now available in the United States. Future worldwide markets will follow throughout 2007. If you are interested in using MSN Mobile, simply go to http://mobile.msn.com on your mobile phone Web browser or visit http://mobile.msn.com on the PC for more information.

Cheers ~ Arne