Microsoft has, as expected, officially announced Windows Mobile 6.1 today at CTIA Wireless; however, the company also revealed a number of remote management, security and VPN tools as well as the latest version of Internet Explorer Mobile for the platform.  Key to WM6.1 are usability improvements meant to answer critics who have pointed to rival systems, such as Apple’s iPhone, as being more straightforward; these changes including making the most critical information readily available at a glance, quicker phone set-up (for functionality such as push email as well as adding hardware peripherals such as Bluetooth headsets) and better formatting the GUI to suit a relatively small smartphone display.

Internet Explorer Mobile, meanwhile, apparently uses IE6 technology together with standards such as H.264, Adobe Flash, and Microsoft Silverlight to dramatically increase the usefulness of the browser.  The market for mobile browsers has hotted up over the past six months, with the gauntlet resolutely thrown down by Mobile Safari on the iPhone while third-party alternatives such as Opera Mobile 9.5 and Access’ NetFront 3.5 have challenged Microsoft’s previously mediocre offerings.  Expect to see the new IE Mobile on handsets by the end of the year.

In the altogether more serious world of enterprise, Microsoft are further cementing their business credentials with the Mobile Device Manager, which allows remote and local device settings control, remote file deletion and encryption and compatibility with secure VPN neworks.  They’ve also put together the Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP), a set of core software and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1 phones whether working with one or multiple operators.  It’s a move that can’t help but be seen as a response to Apple’s motions towards enterprise customers with the upcoming iPhone 2.0 Firmware, and Microsoft are obviously hoping that structured partnerships with multiple carriers (rather than just, say, AT&T) together with a mature business-centric platform will encourage IT admins to look beyond the iPhone’s new-boy gloss and stick with an improved version of what they know.

Press Releases: 

Microsoft Unveils Smartphone Advancements to Improve Ability to Work and Play with One Phone
Company Demonstrates New Version of Internet Explorer Mobile with Full Web Browsing and Introduces Updated Windows Mobile OS

LAS VEGAS - April 1, 2008 - Windows Mobile is improving smartphones to better meet people’s rapidly expanding work and personal needs, Microsoft Corp announced today. At CTIA Wireless 2008, the company unveiled the newest version of Internet Explorer Mobile, which adds or desktop-grade Web browsing to Windows Mobile phones. In addition, Microsoft announced an update for its Windows Mobile software, called Windows Mobile 6.1, which includes new time-saving features, easier phone navigation and management, and stronger security safeguards.

Updated IE Mobile Brings the Quality of Desktop Web Browsing to Phones

The new version of IE Mobile adds the ability to easily view full-screen Web pages and multimedia on the Web via 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 IE Mobile gives people a rich mobile Internet experience. The update will be available to mobile phone partners in the 3rd quarter of 2008, with the first Windows Mobile phones using the new version 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 making the most critical information readily available at a glance; quicker phone set-up; 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 include:

• Stay up to date and share from a single location: Glance 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.
• Keep business information safe: Support for System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and Exchange Server 2007 SP1 policies for setup, management and security to manage phones similarly to a Windows-based PC or securely access company data that may be behind a firewall.

Industry Embraces Windows Mobile 6.1

Partners from around the globe are committed to updating or expanding their portfolios to Windows Mobile 6.1 beginning in the second quarter of 2008, demonstrating the strong industry demand for software that delivers one phone for all aspects of a person’s life.

“AT&T customers select Windows Mobile phones because they’re a fit for their lives — whether that’s traveling the globe, managing the family’s schedule or staying in touch with colleagues,” said Mike Woodward, vice president, Business Data Service for AT&T Mobility. “We intend to update our most popular Windows Mobile phones to offer these new capabilities that help our customers get the most from their mobile experience where they live and work.”

Other partners include Alltel Wireless, AT&T, ASUS, HP, HTC Corp., i-mate, Intermec Inc., Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm Inc., Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Sprint, T-Mobile USA Inc., T-Mobile International Inc., T-Mobile Germany, TELUS, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. The following new phones and updates were announced today:

• Mobile operators:

• Alltel Wireless: HTC PPC6800, HTC Touch
 
• AT&T: Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q 9h global, Pantech duo, AT&T Tilt by HTC
 
• Sprint: A new Palm Treo and updates for the Mogul by HTC, Touch by HTC, MOTO Q 9c, Samsung ACE
 
• T-Mobile International: T-Mobile MDA Ameo 16 GB, T-Mobile MDA compact IV
 
 
• Device-makers:

• ASUS: New phones including the P320, ZX1, P560, M536 and updates for the P527, P750, M930
 
• HTC: A new Touch Dual for the U.S. and updates for the AT&T Tilt, Touch by HTC, Mogul by HTC from Sprint, TyTN II
 
• i-mate: 8502, 9502, 8150, 6150
 
• Intermec: CN3
 
• Motorola: MOTO Q 9c, MOTO Q 9h global, MC70, MC9000
 
• Pantech: Pantech duo
 
• Samsung: BlackJack II
 
• Toshiba: Portégé G810,Portégé G910
 
 

More information about Windows Mobile 6.1 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/default.mspx; information on System Center Mobile Device Manager, available today, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/mobile/default.mspx.

Microsoft Announces Enterprise-Class Mobile Solution
New Mobile Solution, Mobile Services Plan and Phones Come Together for End-to-End Managed Offering

LAS VEGAS - April 1, 2008 -Helping to propel large-scale mobile phone deployments by businesses, Microsoft announced the immediate availability of System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and plans for a Microsoft Mobile Services Plan (MMSP) to be available from mobile operators worldwide. Together with Windows Mobile 6.1, the software and services provide the best solution for mid-size and large businesses managing and securing Windows Mobile phones.

Microsoft saw positive response to early trial programs for Mobile Device Manager. Companies across industries such as financial, manufacturing and professional services also requested that mobile operators deliver a core set of software and services to help businesses meet their management needs.

A study conducted by Microsoft with large and mid-size organizations showed businesses would like to move beyond their current mobile solutions to offer more sophisticated services. Mobile Device Manager meets their needs with: 

• Features to manage phones with the same ease and flexibility as Windows-based PCs, addressing IT priorities for saving resources and protecting information.
• Capability to protect sensitive business files and emails, contacts and other information through file and storage card encryption on the phone in case it is lost or stolen.
• Ability to access to more of the information mobile workers need for staying on top of their jobs. A Mobile VPN (virtual private network) provides security-enhanced access to company data and application updates over the air.

Mobile Services Plan Enriches End-to-End Experience

Today leading operators AT&T, O2, Orange, TaTa Teleservices Ltd. and Verizon Wireless announced they are in discussions with Microsoft to deliver the Microsoft Mobile Services Plan. MMSP is a set of core software and services that provides a uniform experience across Windows Mobile 6.1 phones, whether working with one or more operators, saving time and resources so companies can focus on other areas of mobility. Beginning later in 2008, operators plan to offer a subscription plan that will bring businesses the following:

• A corporate-grade network and data plan to support enterprise applications and services to help people get work done with the responsiveness they expect from the network and the efficient use of battery power they want on their phones
 
• A package from mobile operators, including access rights to Mobile Device Manager as well as the advanced mobile management features of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Services Premier Support and Software Assurance for Microsoft applications such as Microsoft Office Mobile running on Windows Mobile 6.1-based phones. 

Fast-Growing Network of Partners Open for Business

Responding to the opportunity created by Mobile Device Manager and complementing the MMSP, a large network of global partners are ready to integrate and deploy into existing systems as well as create custom solutions for businesses. Among the first companies that worked with Microsoft to support early trial programs are AT&T Inc., EDS, Enterprise Mobile, HP, O2, Orange, SAT Corp. and Verizon Wireless.

“Given AT&T’s leadership in the Windows Mobile space, AT&T is excited that Mobile Device Manager is now a reality for our enterprise customers,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Marketing and Operations for AT&T’s wireless unit. “Every day, mobile devices become more ubiquitous throughout the enterprise, and the need to securely manage those devices, data and applications is critical for IT organizations. Through our early adopter trials, our customers are responding positively to AT&T’s deployment and optimization plans for Mobile Device Manager and are eager to adopt the first end-to-end wireless-focused enterprise solution that can maximize their investments in Microsoft technology.”

A wave of Windows Mobile 6.1 phones and operator networks supporting Mobile Device Manager is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2008 from Alltel Wireless, ASUS, AT&T, HP, HTC Corp., i-mate, Intermec Inc., Motorola, O2, Orange, Palm Inc., Pantech, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Sprint, TaTa Teleservices Ltd., TELUS, Toshiba and Verizon Wireless.

Management Solutions for Every Business Need

Mobile Device Manager builds on the core set of security and management features provided by Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 and complements the comprehensive deployment, updating and asset management capabilities of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Mobile Device Manager is available through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Client access licenses will be available through existing volume licensing channels in areas where mobile operators do not yet offer the plan. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/mobile/default.mspx.