CTIA: Microsoft updates mobile OS, browser

LAS VEGAS--Microsoft used the keynote stage at CTIA in Las Vegas today to officially launch an expected minor update to its Windows Mobile operating system and preview a new version of its Internet Explorer Mobile browser slated for year's end.

In his keynote address, Robert Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, emphasized that mobile touches on all aspects of Microsoft's development roadmap - a reflection of mobile's impact on all areas of computing.

"People won't remember mobile phones so much as a phone but remember them as a next-generation platform that touches everything our customers do and everything that Microsoft works on."

To that end, Bach formally introduced Windows Mobile 6.1, an expected upgrade to its Windows Mobile operating system. Among the new developments is a new "home" screen that can be customized by users while also enabling a new navigation method, which Bach called a "sliding panel."

Demonstrating the new OS operating on the upcoming Samsung Blackjack II smartphone, Microsoft demonstrated how users can access all their important information via the home screen as well as automatically set up ISP connections, connect Bluetooth headsets and access photos and music via home-screen plug-ins.

Other new features for Windows Mobile 6.1 include cut and paste capabilities (even on less-capable smartphone devices), threaded text messaging and new capabilities for Live Search for Mobile, including a feature called Collections that lets users store their most common searches.

Bach said Windows Mobile 6.1 will ship in a few months on multiple devices at the top 5 US carriers: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and Alltel.

Microsoft also previewed the new Internet Explorer Mobile browser, which it said would be available by the end of the year. The browser follows other mobile browsers such as the iPhone, Opera and Firefox Mobile in aiming to bring a full desktop browsing experience to mobile devices. The browser will also include integrated Silverlight and Flash clients, enabling multimedia within the mobile browser.