Microsoft has unveiled Windows Mobile version 5.0.
Microsoft has launched Windows Mobile version 5.0 with a flurry of new features attractive to consumers and IT managers alike. Something that has been long overdue is the inclusion of data persistence functionality. It has taken Microsoft five years to include such a basic requirement for a mobile device dependent on battery power, but the new release includes persistent memory storage, retaining information even when the device’s battery power is exhausted.
The software fully embraces Bluetooth wireless connectivity, something Microsoft has previously been strangely reticent to provide, with improvements to support and the provision of developer tools. Wireless network support in general has been further augmented, with the inclusion of higher-bandwidth cellular 3G capabilities and the addition of Wi-Fi for the Smartphone platform.
Microsoft, possibly stung by other mobile platform vendors’ claims that they support Microsoft Office applications better than it does, has also invested a significant amount of effort into enhancing this functionality.
Another important area where Microsoft has held back from is push e-mail, perhaps not wanting to upset its partners who provide such functionality and leaving the likes of Good Technology and Intellisync to fight it out with the RIM Blackberry. Nonetheless, Microsoft has enhanced its synchronization features, which now include ActiveSync 4.0 support and the ability to wirelessly synchronize using Bluetooth.
While multimedia capability is not top of the agenda for the IT manager it is important if Microsoft is to crack the consumer mobile device market. The Windows Media Player 10 Mobile enables customers to download digital music, video, and recorded television files from a PC or an Internet-based service. Of more interest to enterprise users is the inclusion of support for hard drives and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0.
From an enterprise perspective the addition of data persistence, Bluetooth tools, and enhanced Microsoft Office features make Windows Mobile a mobility platform worth consideration, however, this latest incarnation of Windows Mobile is no iPod beater.
Source: OpinionWire by Butler Group (www.butlergroup.com)
