Microsoft Announces Windows Mobile 6.1

Microsoft today announced a new version of Windows Mobile at CTIA Wireless 2008. The company also unveiled a new version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which brings desktop grade browsing and support for Flash and Silverlight technologies. The update also features 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."

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.

Feature highlights include the ability to view notifications such as missed calls, upcoming appointments and new messages at a glance from the home screen as well as the ability to play music and share photos. Microsoft has also worked to simplify the setup process for setting up e-mail, a Bluetooth headset or Wi-Fi connections. It also includes the ability to 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.

Windows Mobile 6.1 also includes improved enterprise functionality including support for System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 which 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.

Internet Explorer Mobile
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. Microsoft's press release states the new version takes advantage of "Internet Explorer 6 technologies" and supports industry standards such as H.264, Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight. 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.

Availability
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. A number of Mobile operators and device makers have already announced support for WM 6.1 including Sprint which mentions they intend to release a new Palm Treo at some point without specifying any details.

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