Customisation, productivity and more media the keywords
Speaking at Microsoft’s Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005, Microsoft’s annual mobile and embedded developers conference, Bill Gates launched version 5.0 of his company’s mobile device operating system, Windows Mobile. As a reponse to market needs, the new platform is more flexible, includes productivity enhancements and has more multimedia support, Gates told his audience.
Windows Mobile competes with Symbian, Palm OS and other operating systems as a platform for high end smart phones and mobile devices.
“In the past five years, there’s been a profound shift in the kind of data and services people access on their mobile devices — from multimedia to business applications,” Gates said. “Windows Mobile 5.0 enables our industry partners to develop exciting new hardware designs and solutions that will revolutionise how customers use mobile devices.”
The changes
Microsoft is claiming Windows Mobile 5.0 is more flexible, by which it means device makers and operators will more easily be able to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
As an example Microsoft quoted the ability for its customers to “plug-in” applications and features such as Push-to-talk, video caling and conferencing. It also said that their is increased network support, citing higher bandwidth 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth enhgancements. It has also incorporated some “Blackberry-like” features in operation, including support for a QWERTY keyboard and one-handed operation.
Under its “productivity” improvements, there is “faster one-key access to Hotmail and MSN inboxes within Outlook e-mail and an improved experience with MSN Messenger.” There is also
ActiveSync 4.0 supportwhich gives the ability to sync pictures in contacts and wirelessly sync over Bluetooth.
5.0 will also have “persistent” memory storage, “even when the battery is depleted”, which Microsoft said was the most requested feature from its partners. There is also increased support of MS Office software, including the ability to create and view a mobile version of Excel charts, and a Pocket PC version of PowerPoint. Finally, Microsoft said Windows Mobile has undergone extensive testing and met US government security requirements, although there seemed to be no new annoucnements on security.
The third aspect of the upgrade, more media support, sees the integration of Media Player 10 Mobile, an updated player that supports Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Video and MP3, and allows users to synchronise playlists with a PC, as well as plug in additional DRM versions. There is also support for hard drives and USB 2.0 connectivity, as well as enhanced support for video and picture features, such as burst mode and a timer finction.