Microsoft today made three main announcements in the mobile space – an upgrade to Windows Mobile OS, an app store, and a PC-to-mobile content management service for Windows Live users.
Upgrades to Windows Mobile 6.5 are mainly fixed around the UI, bringing the touch interface much deeper into the navigation chain, as well as including the latest version of IE for mobile.
Roderick van der Graaf, EMEA manager for enterprise, said that the upgrade would make the touch user experience more integrated with the phone’s range of applications. There are some touches, such as a drop down menu of alerts from the lock button, that are new, letting a user see what is happening to his messages and so on without unlocking the screen.
“It’s about giving users access to the real internet, and no the mobile optimized internet,” van der Graaf told Mobile Europe.
Microsoft also claims that its IE for Mobile browser is significantly better than other mobile browsers, outperforming the likes of Opera, and in-phone browsers such as Nokia’s. Windows 6.5 phones will have the latest version built in.
Like Nokia, Microsoft today launched an app store – called Windows Marketplace for Mobile – which it will make available from all WM 6.5 phones. Microsoft says developers have already built over 20,000 applications for Windows phones, and will be now able to offer them to customers through the Marketplace.
Van der Graaf said that Microsoft would be looking for partnerships with handset manufacturers and operators with its Marketplace.
The software giant also entered the realm of online management and back-up of mobile content and contents, with the launch of MyPhone. The service features a content upload and storage service for registeres Windows Live users, and automatic synchronization between the PC and mobile.
Orange has said it will update its portfolio to offer new Windows phones with enhanced browsing and two phones featuring 6.5 were announced – the LG-GM7300 and HTC’s Touch Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2, announced today, will be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.5.