Windows Mobile Faces iPhone Competition

An update to Windows Mobile, version 6.1, includes improvements for end users and implements support for Microsoft’s new mobile device management product for organizations. However, the Windows Mobile platform faces a new competitor, the iPhone, which offers an efficient mobile user interface and a more complete Web browser. In addition, the Windows Mobile music player is out of sync with Microsoft’s music strategy. Consumers and IT departments looking for a Microsoft alternative to the iPhone will have to wait until the next version (informally known as Windows Mobile 7), at the earliest.

Pressure from iPhone

Since launching its OS for smart phones early this decade, Microsoft has focused on the corporate market, attempting to make the user interface resemble that of the desktop version of Windows, ensuring that Windows Mobile devices work well with Microsoft’s back-end systems (such as Windows Server, Active Directory, and Exchange), and enabling IT administrators to manage and configure the devices. With versions 5 (released to manufacturers in 2004) and 6 (late 2006), it began adding consumer-oriented features, such as the ability to view photos or play music.