Windows Mobile 6 Ushers in New Devices

A modest update to Windows Mobile—Microsoft’s Windows CE—based platform for Pocket PCs (PPCs) and Smartphones—was released to manufacturers in late 2006, and devices running it will begin shipping during the second quarter of 2007. In addition to offering more features for business users, Windows Mobile 6.0 (code-named Crossbow) provides new features that will broaden its appeal to consumers. However, few device manufacturers will offer software upgrades for existing Windows Mobile 5 devices.

Windows Mobile now ships on more than 140 devices available from 125 mobile operators worldwide, and the release of these new devices should give Microsoft’s Mobile Communications business unit a boost, since knowledge of the pending upgrade began dampening Windows Mobile device sales toward the end of 2006 and into 2007. Although Microsoft’s OS market share for smart mobile devices remained constant at roughly 14%, compared with Symbian’s 67% share, Microsoft’s sales growth resulted from a 30% overall smart device market growth during 2006 (Canalys) rather than from taking away share from Symbian.