Microsoft Readies Windows Mobile 6.5

Smartphones based on Windows Mobile 6.5 are set for retail release on October 6, 2009. Windows Mobile 6.5 promises an improved, easy-to-use user interface, better browsing capabilities and access to valuable services, including Windows Marketplace for Mobile and Microsoft My Phone. The free My Phone service allows customers to automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages from their phone to the Web, making it easy to access and manage them from their phone or PC or restore the information in the event of a lost phone. A redesigned Internet Explorer Mobile browser includes a new engine and built-in Adobe Flash Lite support. Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile delivers a consistent e-mail experience across the PC, phone and browser, while Microsoft Office Mobile allows customers to open and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents from their phone.


Microsoft announced the following partners for the upcoming launch:


In North America: Mobile operators AT&T, Bell Mobility, Sprint, TELUS and Verizon Wireless, and phone manufacturers HP, HTC Corp., LG
Electronics, Samsung and Toshiba Corp.


In Europe: Mobile operators Orange, Deutsche Telekom AG and Vodafone Group Plc, and phone manufacturers Acer, HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba.


In Latin America: Mobile operator TIM Brazil, and phone manufacturers HTC, LG Electronics and Samsung.


In Asia Pacific: Mobile operators NTT DOCOMO Inc., SOFTBANK Mobile Corp., SK Telecom, Telstra and WILLCOM Inc., and phone manufacturers Acer Inc., HTC, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba.
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