Microsoft testing new strategy for Windows Mobile

As the Mobile World Congress comes closer, details on Microsoft's new operating system, either Windows Mobile 6.5 or 7, should start surfacing. A confirmed one is that the platform will be restricted to a number of devices.

Microsoft's Vice President for Windows Mobile Marketing, Todd Peters, disclosed to The New York Times, in an interview conducted during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, that the company is planning a major announcement for the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Limiting the number of devices sounds like a strategy that Apple and BlackBerry have taken, especially if that involves a device from Microsoft itself. "I'd rather have fewer devices and be more focused," said the Vice President. That way "we get better integration" between phone and operating system.

Microsoft has one of the oldest smartphone software in the market. Its lead was forfeited as both developers and users weren't fond of the platform, as it mainly focused on businessmen. The upcoming version of Windows Mobile will change this by implementing an intuitive user interface, and possibly, enhancing it with Microsoft's Zune application.

Several manufacturers, such as HTC, have found a way out of the Windows Mobile business-look. The companies have developed their own user interfaces. HTC, for example, designed the TouchFLO platform.

The market has become saturated with the recent inclusion of Google Android and Palm webOS. Google Android is open-source, which lead to Nokia's Symbian operating system to take the same model. Apple has survived thanks to its sleek platform, and even sleeker user interface, while Microsoft is currently behind in the fight.

There are no signs of Microsoft licensing Windows Mobile as open-source, Peters confirmed that manufacturers will have to continue paying a licence, but he added that based on the upcoming features, "we're going to pump more value into the license".

[via NYTimes]