Microsoft Ships Software for Mobile Phones

By Bob Brewin

October 28, 2002 12:00 PM ET

Computerworld - As Palm readied the introduction of its new Tungsten handhelds, Microsoft last week continued its push into the mobile computing market by releasing its Smartphone operating software for mobile phones.
London-based Orange SA disclosed plans to make available a Smartphone device on a mobile network in the U.K., starting this week. In addition, Redmond, Wash.-based AT&T Wireless Services Inc. said it plans to offer Smartphone-equipped handsets for use on its U.S. network by mid-2003.
The Smartphone software provides much of the functionality of Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system for handheld devices, minus support for Excel and PowerPoint. But it does so in a cell phone form factor.
Tim Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies Inc. in Campbell, Calif., said the Smartphone technology could let mobile users carry just one device to handle all their data and voice communications needs. But, he added, vendors have yet to find "the killer design that makes these Smartphones a real hit."
Orange is offering its customers a device called the Orange SPV, a reference to sound, pictures and video. Many of the functions supported by the device can by synchronized with desktop PCs, the two companies said.

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