Microsoft, through its CEO Steve Ballmer, launched Tuesday, October 6 in Paris launches world of Windows Mobile 6.5 (or “Windows Phone”), new mobile phones for the U.S. publisher of software. In the process, not less than six manufacturers, including LG, Samsung or Toshiba, have announced the arrival of new mobile phones running on this new platform.
So in the new premises of Microsoft France, Issy-les-Moulineaux, south of Paris, as Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates’ successor as head of the U.S. group, has announced the global launch of new software designed to equip terminals of major mobile phone manufacturers. Rich in new features, this version immediately arises as a response to Apple’s iPhone, but Nokia smartphones (running on Symbian), the RIM BlackBerry, as well as equipment operator Google Android.
“Je ne suis pas ici pour annoncer le lancement d’un t?l?phone Microsoft, mais pour vous pr?senter une plateforme qui ?quipera les prochains t?l?phones innovants”, a d?clar? en introduction Steve Ballmer. “We are convinced that a single device that is not the key answer to users who use very different from the mobile, he hammered in his speech.
After Windows on the PC (the latest version of Windows 7 is scheduled for October 22), the Xbox video games, the Office suite and various Internet services (Hotmail, Live Messenger, Bing, etc..), The Seattle giant intends to bring an offensive on the mass market of mobile telephony.
Until then, the firm was rather quiet on a sector that is booming. Previous versions of Windows Mobile were aimed at a professional audience, accustomed to managing their files and messages using the stylus of a type of handsets now out of fashion.
Given the changing market and the boom in touch-screen smartphones, Microsoft reacts by making software more dynamic, relevant professionals and the general public, and optimized for use on a large touch screen with the tip of the index.
On Windows Mobile 6.5, the splash screen style changes radically. The Start menu is abandoned in favor of a menu where different applications are represented as icons customizable, as on the desktop of a Windows PC. This OS also hosts the new version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which is distinguished by its automatic zoom feature on Web pages and support for Flash for viewing graphics and video on the Web.
Dubbed “Windows Phone” devices with Windows Mobile 6.5 also embark service “My Phone”, which can synchronize and backup free data (contacts, photos, etc..) His phone on a web page, and as the platform for downloading programs and software for mobile, “Marketplace.” At its launch the kiosk similar to the Apple Appstore contain about 20,000 free and commercial applications.
Another innovation, a centralized access to various social networking applications. Via the same space, the user can update his Facebook account, check for messages on Twitter or change its status on MSN.
To enforce its new software, Microsoft has ensured the participation of several manufacturers. The list of brands that market the first Windows includes LG Phone (with its GM750), Samsung (Omnia models), Sony Ericsson (Xperia X2), HTC (Touch 2) Toshiba (Windows Phone TG01), and that Acer, with beTouch its models (for the general public) and newTouch (for professionals).
This range of phones equipped with the new mobile OS from Microsoft will be released tomorrow. In France, the Windows Phone will be available from Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, which announced the LG GM750 from 9 euros with unlimited Internet package.
I was wondering when Microsoft would enter the world of the mobile phone market. Its a logical next step but one has to wonder why they waited so long. I use a Blackberry for my home based business. Have had no issues with it.
So this mobile phone would have to contain something unique or really different for me as a consumer to ever consider switching. I will take a wait and see approach to see how Microsoft’s new mobile phone pans out over the next year and really see how committed they are to this project to making it a better customer experience over the competition.
Cheers
Interesting, I hadn’t heard about this anywhere else. Of course it makes sense that they’ve entered the mobile market but only time will tell how committed they are to gaining significant market share. As Darrell said, there has to be something unique that is not already present in the Blackberry or iPhone, and that won’t be easy.
The first thing you’ll notice about Windows Mobile 6.5 is Titanium, the new, menu-style homescreen.
I am looking to get a new phone, and I like the design and layout of the Windows HTC phones, but I was wondering if having a Windows computer is necessary for those phones. I am a Mac computer person.