Mobile
Microsoft Unveils Mobile Plans at MWC: Say Hello to the Windows Phone
Microsoft has been taking hits on its mobile stratiges for some time now, and in most instances deservedly so. Trying to get back into the game, they are unveiling a series of announcements and the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona featuring everything from the announcement of Windows Mobile 6.5 to a new app store.
One of the big announcements is that Microsoft is now using the phrase Windows Phone instead of Windows Mobile in its strategy. Supposedly the word “mobile” has become redundant. Although in typical Microsoft We Can’t Be Clean with Our Branding Strategy the software will still be called Windows Mobile. Follow the jump for a rundown on Microsoft’s announcements.
Windows Mobile 6.5. First, know there will be a Windows Mobile 7. Second, who knows when that will be. That said, Windows Mobile 6.5 offers a touch screen interface with a honeycomb or octagonal shaped menu that supposedly makes it easier to hit those icons than what we’re used to seeing. Microsoft is trumpeting that this is a more finger freindly UI, and as an example, when you receive an alert (voice mail, SMS, etc..) a horizontal swipe takes you straight to the app you need to follow up. Some are saying this is very Zune-like, but I’m not a Zune guy, so others will have to weigh in here with their thoughts. We’ll be posting more up about Windows Mobile 6.5 as we continue to pour over the coverage.
Windows MarketPlace: Yep, it is an app store. No surprise here. If you’re going to intensify your push into the mobile …. er Windows Phone market, you need to be able to download apps over the air. We’ve been hearing about this for awhile under the code name SkyMarket.
My Phone: A cloud service that allows you to back up all that data on your mobile device into the cloud.
Partnerships Microsoft is talking big partnerships with HTC, Orange, and LG, with what looks like big news that LG is going to be unveiling over 50 Windows Phones between now and 2012.
More as it comes but the above was compiled from Engadget and TechFlash
Here’s a link to Microsoft’s info on what was announced.
GoodThings2Life
02/16/2009 at 10:06 am
While none of this news is really “new”, it’s nice to finally see/hear announcements that are official and to see the results of those announcements… I mean seriously– ~50 phones from LG alone over the next few years?! Wow.
Also, if you saw the photos of the new HTC Touch Pro 2 with it’s b-e-a-utiful 3.6″ screen and keyboard glory, I’m super psyched about that news… as long as the battery life is decent, of course. Although with that big a screen, they ought to have plenty of room in it for a hefty battery.
Sumocat
02/16/2009 at 3:46 pm
As impressive a feat as rolling out 50 phones in 3 years sounds, it’s strategically infantile. Assuming HTC, Orange, and others try to keep even half pace with LG, the result could be akin to an algae bloom, spectacular growth followed quickly by extinction. There will be too many phones with too similar features competing against each other, weakening them overall.
Ironically, the resulting fight for shelf space won’t hurt the presumed target, Apple. They have their own store and only need one spot at partner stores to showcase their entire phone line. Palm might also win out since they tightened their product line. But everyone else is going to get squeezed off the shelves to some degree. Going to be interesting to see how they react.