News
Issue #2002 - 41 (October 2002)
(Updated Oct. 29, 2002)

DEVICES 

Microsoft Reaffirms Commitment to Smartphone

Source: News story written by Mala Nugehally, Special to MobileInfo.Com 

In a sweeping declaration, Bill Gates reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to Smartphone technology and dismissed speculation that his company plans to scale back its ambitions for the mobile phone software market. 

"We have spent millions of dollars to be in that category and our breakthrough product is just now shipping to carriers," said Mr. Gates. "Our investment in that area continues to go up and our success is really exciting right now. Of course, we are way, way, way behind Nokia but we have a long-term view of this and we are making our investments consistent with that." 

Latest press releases indicate Microsoft succeeding in powering handsets with its Smartphone 2002 software. One such device is the Orange SPV (for Sounds Pictures Video), a smart phone that combines hardware made by HTC with Microsoft's Smartphone technology, offering users email, Web-browsing, and IM. The phone can also be synched with a user's PC and comes equipped with an attachable camera and boasts MMS-like messaging. Microsoft is also powering Samsung's next-generation devices. Based on Microsoft's Smartphone 2002 platform, these devices will come with email, up-to-date PIM functionality, multimedia capabilities, and secure enterprise data and Web access. The Samsung Smartphone will feature a new interface on a color display and a flip-top design.

"As a top handset vendor known for innovative product design, Samsung's commitment to the Microsoft Smartphone and Pocket PC platforms is terrific," said Pieter Knook, corporate vice president, Network Service Providers group and Mobile Devices division at Microsoft. "Customers are going to enjoy using the new features and communications opportunities created by the combination of Windows software on sleek Samsung devices."

"Microsoft's leading Smartphone technology has showed the innovation for next-generation mobile handsets," said H. Woo Kim, vice president, Telecommunication Network of Samsung Electronics. "We believe that our MITs, which have enhanced the current handheld functionality by combining an additional computing processor, opens up a new era of mobile technology with Smartphone."

Smartphone 2002 platform is a Microsoft Windows based technology and boasts multiple channels via voice, text or a combination of the two, secure access to essential corporate or personal data at any time from any location, color display support, and a startup time of two minutes or less with a customized over-the-air configuration process that eliminates the need for buying and configuring a new phone.

For more information: http://www.microsoft.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: There is no doubt in our mind that Microsoft will succeed in the smart phone OS space. While it will not be able to monopolize the phone OS area like Windows in the PC area, it will become a dominant player for a number of reasons. First of all, it knows better than anybody else how to build high-performance functionally-rich real-time operating systems. Remember, smart phone is not voice-centric. It needs a complex OS that controls multiple forms of input and peripherals. The software that controls the voice (vcoders) is well known (not much IP there). Second, Microsoft has deep pockets. Third, Microsoft has unmatched marketing and inter-vendor deal-making machine. Fourth Bill is persistent in slowly and determinedly improving his software products by researching, developing, borrowing or stealing (no criminal intent meant) new ideas and concepts. Nokias and Motorolas may not like it but that is the hard reality. We feel that this is good for the consumers and the industry. It will create enough motivation for producing the best OS environment for smart phones. Developers should aim for all three OS environments - Microsoft, Symbian and Palm OS. 

Note: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology architectures.  All trademarks used in this summary are the property of their respective owners.