Source: Xinhua
02-18-2009 11:39
Special Report: Tech MaxSAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Playing catch-up to rivals such as Apple and Google, Microsoft on Monday beefed up its push into mobile business, touting new services and winning fresh support from handset makers.
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| Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, delivers a speech themed Moving Towards An Open Mobile Ecosystem during the 2nd day of Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona Feb. 17, 2009. (Xinhua photo) |
In several press releases, the software giant announced that at the Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona, Spain, the company and its key mobile partners are unveiling new smartphones with upgraded Microsoft software.
The next generation of phones will be based on Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft's new version of operating system for handsets, which is expected to be available in the later half this year.
The new mobile operating system will feature a new user interface, providing a dashboard-like experience to items such as new e-mails, texts, missed calls and calendar appointments.
It will include an improved touch-screen interface, making it easy to take action with a finger, Microsoft said.
Another key feature is the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, an online service that allows users to search and download software applications to their handsets. The service is similar to Apple's popular App Store for iPhone users.
