Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • 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
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • 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 Applications
    • Applications
    • Development
    • Mobile
    • Networking

    Microsoft Launches New Mobility Tools

    Written by

    Michael Hickins
    Published April 1, 2008
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      LAS VEGAS-Microsoft is introducing new features to its mobile operating system and mobile management tools to keep up with burgeoning demand for mobile devices and applications in the workplace.

      Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, said Microsoft intends to build on its “leadership position” in business mobile applications and address the needs of business people during their leisure time as well.

      His remarks came during a keynote presentation at the wireless industry’s annual CTIA conference here.

      Windows Mobile 6.1 includes a new “home screen” that allows users to see the most critical information at a glance. Other new features include quicker phone setup, and the ability to render full Web site pages, even on a small screen.

      Microsoft also announced System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which allows enterprise customers to provision and otherwise manage devices that are on their networks more easily.

      Bach said that MDM 2008, which also supports Exchange Server 2007 SP1, helps administrators manage phones the same way that Windows-based PCs are managed, and allows users access to company data that may be protected behind a firewall.

      The object, said Bach, is to transform mobile devices into “a first class citizen on the network.”

      Desktop Feel, Pocket Size

      The company is employing a tried-and-true strategy, which is to reuse parts of one business in another, in the hopes that user familiarity with applications like Microsoft Word will translate into sales in new areas.

      The enhancements to its mobility tools “involves work we’re doing with Vista and the PC,” said Bach.

      Bach also referred to the e-mail client as “a pocket version of Outlook” and described features as offering “the same paradigm as on the desktop.”

      Hewing so closely to the familiar, however, is seen in some quarters as Microsoft’s Achilles’ Heel. Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with the Yankee Group who follows mobile technology, criticized Microsoft for wanting to recreate the look and feel of a desktop PC on a mobile device.

      “Microsoft wants to put the same look and feel on everything, but I’ve never heard of anyone wanting a start button on their cell phone,” Kerravala told eWEEK via instant messaging.

      “Windows is a GREAT user interface for a PC, but not for a phone,” he added.

      Kerravala pointed to how Apple has created different user experiences on the Mac, the iPod and the iPhone, all of which work seamlessly together without attempting to replicate an exact user interface.

      Rather than trying to make the experiences similar, Kerravala said Microsoft should focus on making sure the applications work well “under the covers.”

      Michael Hickins
      Michael Hickins

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      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.
      © 2024 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.

      ×