Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Development
    • Development
    • Mobile
    • Small Business

    Microsoft CEO Ballmer Lauds Nokia Partnership, Windows Phone Adoption

    By
    Nathan Eddy
    -
    February 14, 2011
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      BARCELONA-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer addressed a packed hall of Mobile World Congress attendees with a keynote speech focusing on the Windows Phone mobile operating platform and the company’s recent partnership with Nokia, inviting CEO and President Stephen Elop on stage, as well as Microsoft corporate Vice President for Windows Phone program management Joe Belfiore.

      Ballmer sought to differentiate Microsoft’s mobile platform from its competitors, referencing the company’s “smart design” philosophy which guided the operating system.”For the last few years the market has been swamped by phones of similar designs,” Ballmer said. “People want a phone that makes info more accessible and helps them complete basic tasks more easily. With smart design, we’re trying to go about improving that experience.”

      He also outlined the upcoming improvements to Windows Phone, including a version of Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), which employs a device’s graphics processor to deliver the Web through HTML 5, and consumer support for the company’s SkyDrive platform, a File hosting service that allows users to upload files to a cloud storage and then access them from a Web browser. Ballmer also reiterated the company’s belief in the value of “hubs”, of which Windows Phone has six: people, office, pictures, music and video, marketplace and games.

      The idea is to organize applications and information into a single integrated experience. He said Twitter integration would follow Facebook integration, with a software update free for all Windows Phone device users. Belfiore then took the stage to demonstrate some of the platform’s services, but was unable to connect to the server and demonstrate the Bing voice search function or high definition streaming video he planned.

      Belfiore was able to demonstrate a walkthrough of the upcoming multitasking feature for third-party apps, showing the audience how users can exit applications and quickly return to them. Another demonstration focused on a third-party music application called Slacker Personal Radio and the platform’s ability to keep the music service playing while working with other applications.

      Perhaps the most intriguing upcoming development concerned Kinect, the motion-sensitive gaming platform for the Xbox console. Belfiore played a video showing friends using the phone to interact with each other while playing a virtual dodgeball game on Xbox. Two friends used a display on their phones connected to the game to hurl dodgeballs at a third friend.

      Ballmer returned to the stage to address the partnership with handset manufacturer Nokia, praising the company’s excellence and “deep expertise” with industrial design. “Their involvement will drive volume and innovation, and accelerate the adoption of the Windows Phone platform,” he said. “We are sure from that base that Nokia will deliver phenomenal Windows phones.”

      Elop then took the stage, declaring the market had moved from a battle of devices to a war of ecosystems, noting it was “very clear” from the selection Nokia had made where they stand on the importance of platforms. “Microsoft and Nokia represent a natural partnership,” he said, citing the global reach, brand recognition and service expertise of the respective companies. “Partnering with Microsoft will allow us to re-enter the U.S. market in a compelling way.”

      In his closing remarks, Ballmer claimed the two companies would be the most operator-friendly platform available, a sentiment echoing Elop’s own earlier comments. He noted the broad range of services Nokia would add to Microsoft’s roster, including mapping, location-based services and local advertising. “2011 is shaping up to be a very fast-paced year,” Ballmer said.

      Nathan Eddy
      A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan was perviously the editor of gaming industry newsletter FierceGameBiz and has written for various consumer and tech publications including Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, CRN, and The Times of London. Currently based in Berlin, he released his first documentary film, The Absent Column, in 2013.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×