Microsoft and Qualcomm say they are integrating and testing support for Windows Mobile with Convergence Platform 7XXX-series MSM chipsets, which feature a dual-core architecture with an integrated ARM11 applications processor and ARM9 modem processor. The Convergence Platform MSM chipsets offer CDMA2000 1XEV-DO and UMTS modem features, hardware-accelerated multimedia capabilities, multimegapixel camera support, 3-D graphics and assisted-GPS engines, according to Qualcomm.
Qualcomm dominates the market for CDMA chipsets, and along with Freescale has been
gaining ground on overall worldwide mobile phone chip market leader Texas Instruments.
"Having support for Windows Mobile on Qualcomm's MSM chipsets will bring a familiar software experience to the next generation of smaller, lighter phones with more appealing form factors," said Dr. Sanjay K. Jha, president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. "Our customers will be able to more quickly design cost-effective and innovative devices that harness the power of our Convergence Platform dual-processor solutions."
Qualcomm says it expects to begin offering support for Windows Mobile 5.0 on Convergence Platform MSM chipsets in the second half of 2006. In addition, Microsoft will incorporate a new BSP (board support package) and Radio Interface Layer for the Convergence Platform in future distributions of Windows Mobile.
Phones running Windows Mobile on MSM chipsets are expected to be available in 2007.
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