It's official: Windows Mobile 6.1 plus a new version of Internet Explorer Mobile are announced!
LAS VEGAS— April 1, 2008 —Windows Mobile is improving
smartphones to better meet people’s rapidly expanding work and personal
needs, Microsoft Corp. today announced. 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.”
Updated Internet Explorer Mobile Brings the Quality of Desktop Web Browsing to Phones
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 Update Drives Simpler Experience
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.
|
More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/apr08/04-01EnterpriseMobilePR.mspx.