Gates Releases Details on New Mobile OS

rjelks writes "Microsoft's Bill Gates released details about the company's new mobile operating system, code-named Magneto, at the Mobile & Embedded Developers Conference in Las Vegas today. There has been a lot of recent speculation about the new OS. People have been describing it as a possible 'Blackberry killer.' Windows Mobile 2005 will be released to hardware manufacturers immediately. The OS will integrate Smartphone, Pocket PC, and Pocket PC Phone Edition operating systems into one platform. It will also include updates to the mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint." Relatedly, ZDNet has an interview with Gates about the initiative.

Comments

PUSH

[whackco]

When they have effective PUSH EMail built into Exchange 2k3 in SP2 it WILL kill blackberry. I for one HATE the BB Ent Srv.

That said....flame away

Blackberry Killer

[kevin_conaway]

OK, I think its safe to disregard this product and the person calling it that. Whenever something is described as an XKiller, it never kills product X and such claims are usually FUD or just hype.

Are the apps still going to be crippled versions?

[argent]

The "Palm-Sized PC" and then Pocket PC apps were crippled version of the original Windows CE applications, with the ability to view multiple documents and navigate the file system removed in an apparent effort to make was might have been a viable laptop replacement into something that emulated the limitations of the Palm OS without managing to pick up any of the advantages that came along with them.

That was when the Pocket PC was supposed to be a "Palm Killer". Well, it was cellphones that really tromped on the traditional Palm, and Microsoft almost completely failed to get a position in that market while I see the Handspring/Palm Treo all over the place.

Now they're going for a "Blackberry Killer". I wonder what that portends for their applications. Will they finally let the Windows CE platform really compete with the ultralight laptops and Tablet PC on anything like a level playing field?

Personally...

[Progman3K]

For me, it doesn't matter what product Microsoft develops anymore.

I will always avoid all their products like the plague and use my influence to guide others to avoid them also.

I know it sounds like trolling, but I'm not posting anonymously, and I AM serious, this is my opinion, and this is reality.

I represent a segment of consumers who are completely fed up to the gills with Microsoft and are tired of constantly giving them another chance.

This will again be just like all their other products; it'll be inferior, there'll be interoperability problems with everyone's else's products, and Microsoft will continue to promise that the next version will be perfect, which by now, we've all realized is bunk.

Of course, if the product ever takes off at all, Microsoft will have realized their goal: to drive another competitor out of business. They'll then proceed to completely ignore the product and its users, just like they've done with Internet Explorer or Office. With no competition, there is no impetus to improve.

So again, NO THANKS, Microsoft.

There are alternatives, so support the other vendors, buy their products!

Free speech AND free beer? YES, PLEASE!