LAS VEGAS—Microsoft announced a new version of its Internet Explorer Mobile browser today, as well as enhancements to its mobile phone operating system, Windows Mobile 6.1.
With the advent of 3G networks and their higher data rates, the wireless industry has started focusing more attention on better access to the Internet using a phone. Microsoft says its new IE Mobile is capable of a desktop-grade Web browsing experience on a phone.
The computing company says the latest version of IE Mobile adds the ability to easily view full-screen Web pages and multimedia on the Web using a smartphone. IE Mobile uses some of the technologies from its big brother, Internet Explorer 6, so it can support such multimedia capabilities as H.264, Adobe Flash, and Microsoft Silverlight. IE Mobile’s updates will be available to handset manufacturers in the third quarter and the first Windows Mobile phones using the software are expected to be available by the end of the year.
Windows Mobile 6.1 includes a quicker phone set-up experience for e-mail, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections and a Getting Started Center help facility. It also makes it possible to respond to missed calls, upcoming appointments and new messages from the home screen.
Microsoft also announced a device manager system for enterprise customers using Windows Mobile devices. The software, called System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, is available immediately.
The company says a survey of large and mid-size companies showed they wanted the ability to manage mobile phones in much the same way as they can Windows-based desktops. The new device manager service lets IT managers to protect business files and emails on phones, contacts and other data through file and storage card encryption. It also includes a mobile VPN.
Microsoft also announced that Windows Mobile will have an enhanced version of Live Search, which provides local business search, maps, driving directions, movie show times and other local content. The new version, expected this spring, provides deeper integration with Windows Mobile phones, user-generated content and Web search, as well as weather forecasts. Live Search for BlackBerry also will be enhanced with voice commands.
