24 October 2007
Microsoft is expected announce its competition against Apple’s fast-selling iPhone with the unveiling later today of a new version of its operating system for mobile phones.
Analysts predict Microsoft will unveil a new more consumer-friendly version, 6.1 of Windows for Mobile, this operating system is commonly used to power mobile phones, Microsoft applications.
The Microsoft system which was launched in 2001 has proved successful in North America, however it has done less well elsewhere.
Ben Wood of CCS Insight, said:
It has struggled beyond its home market and struggled to break outside of the business user market.
Vodafone has recently unveiled a specially-built version of Windows Mobile 6.0 for several of its new Christmas handsets. Analysts expect a new version to be modelled around this.
A recent report on The Boy Genius blog speculated that the new version would have a carousel-like menu system that would enable one-click access to popular functions.
Rival Internet giants like Apple are putting increased pressure on Microsoft in the mobile sector. The iPhone, which has already been snapped-up by more than one million Americans is being marketed in large part on its aesthetic appeal and ease of use.
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