Microsoft's phone talk is all business

Well, It doesn't appear that Microsoft will be taking direct aim at the iPhone on Tuesday.

Rather, the software maker is playing to its strengths, announcing a new piece of server software to help businesses manage a company's worth of smartphones.

That doesn't mean Microsoft isn't interested in say, adding a full Web browser into Windows Mobile, according to Scott Horn, a general manager in Microsoft's mobile device unit.

"Do I see a path where we are going to have a phenomenal browsing experience," Horn said. "Yes, I do."

But the bulk of Microsoft's announcements for Tuesday focus on the company's enterprise strengths. The company is announcing a new product, known as System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 and noting that it is providing start-up funds for Enterprise Mobile, a new Boston-based service provider that will help companies manage the process of doling out smartphones to large workforces.

Focusing on the IT staff is not a bad way to go, considering they are often the ones who decide which phones get bought with the corporate dollar and also which ones are allowed behind the company firewall.

"Smartphones can enhance productivity and save costs for employees throughout the company," Horn said. "CIOs are waking up and saying I want to make smartphones and Windows Mobile first class citizens on the network. (They are saying) 'I want to move beyond a tactical solution for e-mail and for a few people.' "

The new software allows businesses to push out software updates to phones over the air and also provides a VPN system for Windows Mobile devices to get secure access to corporate data, something that in the past has typically required third-party software.

But even that product is some months away. It is only in beta, with the final version set to ship some time in the first half of next year. Microsoft also isn't saying how much the product will cost and notes that existing phones will need an upgrade to work with the software. That's a challenge, because typically the device makers and the carriers need to give the go-ahead for upgrades and they tend not to be all that keen on them since it adds hassle and support calls without providing either with new revenue.

Palm, for example, says the Treo 750 will get the upgrade on AT&T's network, but won't say whether other phones will get the upgrade nor whether more than one network will allow the upgrade.

While Microsoft isn't ready to announce any new iPhone-inspired features, Horn was ready to defend Windows Mobile against Apple's technology, though he wouldn't use the "I" word.

"The list of things that we do that the phone you mentioned doesn't do is a pretty long list," Horn said.

And although Apple may have shipped 1 million iPhones last quarter, that's still a fraction of the 11 million Windows Mobile devices that shipped last year. "We'll sell over 20 (million) this year," Horn said.

[daekko]

Typical M$

Typical Microsoft fodder, comparing a year's worth of sales to 3 months. I've had 2 Microsoft Windows Mobile phones and hated both of them, and "hated" is an understatement but is the strongest word I can use here.

You might have "sold more" in a year than Apple did in 3 months but I'm willing to bet that during that same 3 month period, the users of the iPhone had to reboot their phone because of some O/S screw-up a lot less. Oh, let's not forget all the people who are in contracts already with a mobile phone carrier and either can't or won't switch to AT&T's service.

Hmmm, looks like your sales are not that impressive after all and simply a matter of people buying the only available phone with the features they wanted. Face it M$, you barely belong in the PC market, and you're losing ground as Apple sales increase. Microsoft cannot even create a game console without lock-up and overheating problems. You certainly do not belong in the phone market, given the pathetic attempts you've made so far, so stop trying to compare Apple's to Microsoft.

[WJeansonne]

What are you talking about knucklehead

My Samsung BlackJack runs circles around iPhones gimmicky feature set! And it does 100% reliable. You are probably the type of person that is tainted with bad luck at whaterver you do, LOL.

[ewsachse]

Typical Apple FUD

Apple is useless to everyone with a real job that has real work to do. Only the scruffy unemployed "expert" who hangs out at coffee shops uses Macs and iPhones. These are the same people who jump for joy when Apple sales "increase". Well when you are at the bottom there is only one way to go and that is up. Just because Apple sold two extra Macs last month does not mean that Microsoft or Bill Gates are shaking in their boots.

[Seaspray0]

typical m@c

Gee, it's so easy to play the name abuse game, isn't it? m$, m@c... all of which proves nothing but so much fun.

"...but I'm willing to bet that during that same 3 month period, the users of the iPhone had to reboot their phone because of some O/S screw-up a lot less."

That's not what I've been hearing in the news, mr. ibrick.

"...or won't switch to AT&T's service."

So being restricted to a single carrier is a good thing? Yea, right.

"Hmmm, looks like your sales are not that impressive after all and simply a matter of people buying the only available phone with the features they wanted."

The most important feature my company wants is the ability to synchronize to the corporate email on the phone. There are two phones that will do this: blackberry, windows mobile. See anything missing? As for sales... lets see... over 20 million per year averages out to over 5 million for every 3 months. I belive blackberry sales are just as impressive if not more so. I guess that corporate email thing is important after all.

"You certainly do not belong in the phone market, given the pathetic attempts you've made so far..."

So far? Phones with windows mobile have been successfully selling for more years than iphone has been selling for as many MONTHS. Why don't you go back to the zune/ipod discussions where you belong.

[alenas]

iPhone vs WM6

I bought iPhone the first day.
It is nice hardware, but software wise it is crap. Only browsing experience and touchscreen is nice (by the way touchscreen is synaptics and not apple invention).
I installed jailbrake, unlocked it - that improved iPhone a lot...then sold it.
I had Windows Mobile device for 3 years. It is pretty old (i-mate K-Jam), but at least I can always upgrade to the latest software (for example I am running Windows Mobile 6 with HTC Touch interface) and it runs great. There is plenty of home screen customization options (SPB Mobile, SPB Diary, HTC Home), plenty of great games and all kind of software that you need on the go (Live Search, Mobile Messenger, Skype, Navizon Mobile, GPS software, SPB Finance). None of that exist in iPhone.
After I bought iPhone I realised how much old windows mobile phone is better. And I do not understand why people think that a row of 4x5 icons is cool - it does not give any information (for example my next task or my friends birthday tomorrow - which SPB Diary handles very well).
I guess people just do not know how much there is in Windows Mobile software...

[nonicks]

wm6 with touch interface... tell me how..

man.. I ave more interest in using wm6 with touch interface than the story here..

so could you please tell her.e. how u upgraded ur old phone to wm6 and also got the Touch interface..

Much appreciated..

Thanks

[bluvg]

What's w/the tech media iPhone obsession? BlackBerry isn't even mentioned?!

The only competition mentioned in the article is whether Microsoft is taking aim at the iPhone?! C'mon, CNet... this is getting ridiculous.

It is appalling that BlackBerry isn't even *mentioned* in this article. A shot at the iPhone?! Try the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. How this was not mentioned is astonishing. This is an absolute direct shot at the BES, but CNet can't see anything except through the lens of a singular tech company from Cupertino.

[bschmidt25]

Agreed

Why the endless comparisons to the iPhone?!?! It's pretty obvious that Microsoft is going after Blackberry / BES - a much more formidable opponent than Apple - especially in the Enterprise. Exchange has 75% of the market share and the only way the iPhone can connect to Exchange is IMAP or POP3 - lame. Meanwhile, WM6 and BB/BES integrate tightly with Exchange. Face it - the iPhone is not a business device like Apple would like you to believe (with their goofy new commercials). Both companies I have worked for since the iPhone was released have specifically said that iPhones cannot be connected to corporate e-mail or purchased for employees. I guess they don't want everyone screwing off on iTunes and YouTube all day. WM and BB devices run circles around the iPhone in business practicality and businesses are buying most of the smart phones right now.