MEDC 2005: WM5 full Press Release

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Following on from our earlier news of the release of Windows Mobile 5, the full press release can be found here.

For your convenience, the Press Release is quoted below ;)

Microsoft Releases Windows Mobile 5.0

New version of software provides partners with improved integration of technologies to deliver a more intuitive mobile device experience.

LAS VEGAS -- May 10, 2005 -- In a packed hall of developers and industry partners at Microsoft® Mobile & Embedded DevCon 2005, Microsoft Corp.'s annual mobile and embedded developers conference, Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft, announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Mobile ™ 5.0. This new version of the Windows Mobile software platform delivers on partner requests, including more platform flexibility to customize devices and solutions; productivity enhancements that include updated Microsoft Office software and persistent memory storage for more efficient data management; and a powerful multimedia experience with Windows Media® Player 10 Mobile and support for hard drives.

Just five years ago, the first Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs shipped from three hardware partners. Today 40 device-makers are shipping innovative Windows Mobile-based products with 68 mobile operators in 48 countries. These hardware and mobile operator partners have contributed to Windows Mobile revenue growth of 31 percent from 2003 to 2004 and phone license sales more than double those of the previous year.

"In the past five years, there's been a profound shift in the kind of data and services people access on their mobile devices -- from multimedia to business applications," Gates said. "Windows Mobile 5.0 enables our industry partners to develop exciting new hardware designs and solutions that will revolutionize how customers use mobile devices."

"Windows Mobile 5.0 is an important evolutionary step for the Windows Mobile platform, which continues to gain traction worldwide," said John Jackson, Yankee Group senior analyst. "Enhancements in the platform give wireless network operators and mobile device vendors the ability to deliver customized, differentiated services and devices, while meeting the market's demand for robust, scalable, segmented offerings."

Customization Options

Enhancements in Windows Mobile 5.0 will provide device-makers and mobile operators with more options to differentiate themselves from competitors and ultimately provide end users with a wider range of converged devices. Partners can take advantage of the following features:

    * New technologies. Increased platform flexibility, the top customization request, enables partners to plug in differentiated technologies such as "push-to-talk" or video calling and conferencing.

    * Network support. Support for higher-bandwidth 3G networks, Wi-Fi for the Smartphone platform and improvements to existing Bluetooth® support enable more flexibility to integrate mobile phone services across a variety of networks.

    * One-handed operation. Across the Windows Mobile platform, soft-key integration, landscape display orientation and QWERTY keyboard support will enable hardware partners to develop compelling devices with improved one-handed keyboard navigation that empowers customers to access their information without a stylus.

Building on the more than 18,000 commercial Windows Mobile-based applications available today, developers can utilize tools available in the Beta 2 of Visual Studio® 2005 and new application programming interfaces (APIs) to quickly and easily develop a variety of rich mobile applications such as location-based services, 3-D gaming and video that bring to life compelling entertainment and productivity scenarios. Further, integration with Microsoft SQL Server ™ 2005 Community Technology Preview in Windows Mobile 5.0, along with integration with the Beta 2 of Visual Studio 2005, allows businesses to extend critical business information and applications to mobile devices in the field.

Increased Productivity

With its updated and enhanced look, Windows Mobile 5.0 enables industry partners to create devices and solutions that provide mobile information workers with more efficient and secure access to information. These refinements include the following:

    * Persistent memory storage. The most requested productivity feature from partners and customers alike, persistent memory storage retains information even when the device's battery is depleted.

    * Microsoft Office software for Windows Mobile. Users will be able to view and create charts in Excel Mobile, and edit documents with graphics using Word Mobile while maintaining document formatting with files created on a PC. A new PowerPoint® Mobile application has been included for Pocket PC, giving road warriors the ability to view and rehearse presentations.

    * Security. Complementing a number of security features already included in the Windows Mobile platform, such as Bluetooth authorization and end-to-end encryption over a virtual private network, Windows Mobile 5.0 has gone through extensive threat-modeling testing and completed the rigorous Microsoft Trustworthy Computing full security review. The platform is also FIPS-140-2-certified, meaning it meets the stringent U.S. government security requirements for IT products.

Integrated Multimedia

With the more than 25 Windows Mobile content partners, the ability to play multimedia files has long been a hallmark of the platform. Windows Mobile 5.0 offers enhancements that enable industry partners to provide a more powerful and personalized multimedia experience through the following features:

    * Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Customers can enjoy a larger number of protected digital music, video and recorded television files that can be synchronized easily from a PC or downloaded from many Internet-based services and mobile operators' music stores with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. The updated player also enables synchronization of users' playlists, album art and song ratings. Partners can plug in additional digital rights management (DRM) technologies to help advance their specific media business models.Pictures and video. A new pictures and video application will add advanced features such as burst mode and timer function previously found only on high-end digital cameras.

    * Extended storage. Additional support for hard drives and Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 will enable people to easily and quickly store large amounts of information -- such as entire digital picture and music libraries -- on a mobile device and synchronize this content with a PC.

;)

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[Guest agent.m]

this is good news that will make up for the late delivery of my new asus pc case meaning i'll have to wait till tommorrow. Hope t-mobile provide an update sometime soon [-o

[Guest Tunney]

Looks like some very good stuff in there - better Bluetooth support, USB 2.0, hard-drive support, WiFi for Smartphone and 3G.

The only thing that worries me is the lack of video telephony as standard. This doesn't really matter if you're in the states, but I wonder how it'll affect Microsoft's progress in Europe and Asia. Sure, a third party could add it but it'll never be as useable and well-integrated as if Microsoft included it as standard.

[Guest Mark T]

I'd heard rumours that Magneto was going to be a "Blackberry killer", so I thought there was going to be something built in to the OS itself. But I don't see any mention of Blackberry-type functionality in the press release. Am I missing something? Or are Microsoft relying on third party software providers like GoodLink to provide this functionality?

[Guest mastermind81]

you think that it can be flashed on a Qtek 8010 or Qtek 9090?

Edited May 10, 2005 by mastermind81

[Guest iwod]

still waiting for a Jam update

[Guest Mehka]

is there much difference? with the supplied information, I think not.

[Guest Siluri]

Can 2003se phones be upgraded, Im sure i seen somewhere that a sneak shot of a C500 with magneto on it :?: before it was pulled.

Or will it will be the old MPX200 debacle but with more phones being considered obsolete and unupgradable :P .

Having a phone that can be upgradable isnt the way to sell phones but if you have just a 6 to 12 month lifespan on a MS phone whats the point :?: you might as well get a PDA thats upgradable and a bog standard mobile phone.

I held on to my MPX200 ;) as long as possible but had to get the C500 8) im hoping that i dont have to buy a new phone in the next few months just to run an upgraded OS :cry:

PS.

Heard that one of the PDA firms was bringing out an update for present PDA,s But they said you would have to pay for it,Which a lot will pay for, So why dont some of the phone firms do the same to ofset costs, Im sure there are a few of us that would rather pay out for an upgrade than a new phone ;) .

Edited May 10, 2005 by Siluri

[Guest extravagant]

if someone finds information please added, I reallllllyyyy I wanna try it on my pocket pc and smartphone!

[Guest peterweg]

Looks like some very good stuff in there - better Bluetooth support, USB 2.0, hard-drive support, WiFi for Smartphone and 3G.

The only thing that worries me is the lack of video telephony as standard. This doesn't really matter if you're in the states, but I wonder how it'll affect Microsoft's progress in Europe and Asia. Sure, a third party could add it but it'll never be as useable and well-integrated as if Microsoft included it as standard. [-o<

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Video telephony is an unimportant feature. I was on a 3G trial and the consensus that people are not going to use it. Its not a big money maker in Asia and it won't be in Europe either.

[Guest sSword]

will this work on my C500?

[Guest Confucious]

will this work on my C500?

As has been said in all the other threads about it - not unless Orange release an update which seems unlikely as the hardware won';t support many of the features, it seems more likely they will release it for the C550.

[Guest sSword]

As has been said in all the other threads about it - not unless Orange release an update which seems unlikely as the hardware won';t support many of the features, it seems more likely they will release it for the C550.

Booo Hoooo :x ;) :?:

[Guest extravagant]

Booo Hoooo  :x  ;)  :?:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont even think for the C550, later on folks, like that new amazing phone, HTC or somethin, the one used in the MS Presentation at the conference, that too I guess needs some tweaking, its prob far to bulky and heavy etc. u all know.. 8)

[Guest nickcornaglia]

Now that the excitement has died down....can I just say that I'm unimpressed with the new OS. Where is the innovation? The support for hard drives is the coolest thing so far...but other than that, it seems they integrated features that third-party software has already taken care of. :cry:

[Guest extravagant]

Now that the excitement has died down....can I just say that I'm unimpressed with the new OS. Where is the innovation? The support for hard drives is the coolest thing so far...but other than that, it seems they integrated features that third-party software has already taken care of. :cry:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that is still some progress, but devices will never be perfect... also, I'm glad they installed sfotware that u use to need third-party software, way better integration.

[Guest nickcornaglia]

It just doesnt seem like a real breakthrough to me. There is probably alot I dont understand about the upgrade in development aspect...but in the end....eh.

Maybe I need to get my hands on it to understand what the whoop is.

[Guest extravagant]

It just doesnt seem like a real breakthrough to me. There is probably alot I dont understand about the upgrade in development aspect...but in the end....eh.

Maybe I need to get my hands on it to understand what the whoop is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

lol, true, but I guess we can enjoy a better GUI and enjoy the hype while it lasts ;)

[Guest mutleyboy]

i think i prefer the layout as it is now on my c500 with the lists rather than have graphic icons, it is so easy at the moment to just enter a number for what you want to open.

With the icons in the menu will they still be assigned numbers to enter them when in the menu?

edit: just realised that you can choose between the 2 views as i understand it :oops:

Edited May 15, 2005 by mutleyboy

[Guest justinhalsall]

it doesn't sound very exiting ;)