Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has announced upgrades to its Windows Mobile operating system and  Internet Explorer Mobile Web browser aimed at making the mobile Web experience more like what desktop users have come to expect, the company revealed Tuesday at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless trade show in Las Vegas. Microsoft also announced improvements to its System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and Windows Live Search Mobile products. Facing Feature-Rich Competition Microsoft Moves Forward As Microsoft faces competition in the mobile phone market that is offering increasingly powerful Web browsing capabilities, led by Apple's wildly popular iPhone, the firm responded by announcing several upcoming feature additions Tuesday, including the addition of Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight support within Internet Explorer Mobile. The addition will allow Windows Mobile users to view more rich online multimedia content using smartphones beginning in the third quarter of 2008, according to a Microsoft release. The addition may help Microsoft attract the type of increased mobile Web use iPhone users have brought Apple. Recent studies from Jupiter Research and other groups have shown that mobile users with mobile devices that offer more desktop-like browsing experiences spend more time online than those with less capable mobile browsers. "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," Bach added. Mobile Operating System Updated Microsoft also announced an enhanced version of Windows Mobile OS, version 6.1, that includes the ability to view entire Web pages or images on mobile devices and to zoom in on portions of the screen, a feature that  has been available for some time to users of other mobile browsers such as those offered by Norwegian film Opera, with its Opera Mini and Opera Mobile products. "Microsoft is taking the necessary steps to broaden its consumer appeal while also addressing the complex mobile needs of the enterprise," said Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin in the Microsoft release. "Internet Explorer Mobile and Windows Mobile 6.1 demonstrate Microsoft’s ability to harness its technologies to bring tangible innovations and benefits to customers and partners," Bajarin added. Another addition to Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.1 aims to make it less cumbersome to set up such mobile device features as email and connectivity through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, using a new Getting Started Center, Microsoft said. The new Windows Mobile 6.1 interface will make move more information to the phone's initial start-up page, such as notices of calls, messages and appointments, Microsoft said. Enterprise Product Also Overhauled The new Windows Mobile 6.1 will add support of Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 for business users needing secure enterprise-class mobile remote management, expanding the test service  initially offered in October 2007 to a select group of trial participants. During upcoming months consumers will have access to a new version of Microsoft's Live Search for Windows Mobile that can display address book contacts on maps from the company's Virtual Earth service and give directions showing how to find them, along with integrated weather forecast information, Microsoft announced. Consumers can sign up at Microsoft's Web site to receive a notification when the new Live Search for Windows update is available. Microsoft announced that users of the Blackberry mobile devices will be able to conduct searches through voice control, a tool currently available to Windows Mobile phone users, often used to find directions to nearby attractions, restaurants or businesses. Microsoft Adds Mobile OS and Browser Features To Improve Smartphones Members of the online discussion forums operated by WebmasterWorld, a community of mostly technically savvy webmasters and search engine marketing (SEM) professionals founded by chief executive Brett Tabke, reacted to Microsoft's Tuesday announcement with mixed thoughts. One WebmasterWorld member sees Microsoft's addition of Adobe Flash support as  a possible incentive for Apple to follow suit with its iPhone. "Flash support for the iPhone has been 'Just around the corner' since last summer. Maybe this will light a fire under Apple to get it done," the member, using the handle "SEOMike," noted. "I'm glad to see Windows Mobile and Internet Explorer Mobile finally updated," the member added. According to Microsoft, 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." Microsoft mobile 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. Related Links:
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9:53 pm on April 2, 2008 (utc 0)