Microsoft promises 'desktop web experience' on Windows Mobile

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 02 April 2008 02:15

Your IT - Mobility

Microsoft is promising a desktop-like web experience for smartphone users when the next version of Internet Explorer Mobile arrives by the end of the year.

Company officials said the update will allow users to easily view full-screen web pages on a phone. Is Microsoft playing catch-up with the iPhone? More like leapfrog, as the new browser will also support Flash and Silverlight, giving users a more complete web experience than is possible with Apple's handset.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently pooh-poohed the idea of putting Flash on the iPhone.

Phone vendors can expect the update during the third quarter, with the new browser first appearing on phones by the end of 2008.

Microsoft also announced Windows Mobile 6.1, which will feature simplifed setup, support for System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 for remote management, threaded text messaging, zooming, cut and paste without a touch screen, and the display of notifications (missed calls, upcoming appointments, etc) on the home screen.

The first phones with Windows Mobile 6.1 are expected this quarter.

Part of Microsoft's motivation is to allow the creation of phones that meet people's expectations of devices for both work and personal tasks.