| Ballmer talks up end-to-end wireless in 3GSM keynote |
Feb. 16, 2006
 In a Tuesday keynote at 3GSM in Barcelona, CEO Steve Ballmer touted Microsoft's growing wireless focus, highlighting plans to deliver revenue-generating opportunities to operators and "compelling benefits" to users. New products and technologies discussed or demonstrated included email/PIM push, integrated VoIP/IM communications, and mobile live TV.
"Our focus on providing new solutions for subscribers offers the greatest opportunities for our partners," Ballmer said. "From the back end to the front end, Microsoft has the assets and expertise to unify mobile communication in ways that are compelling for customers and differentiated and profitable for mobile operators, developers and device-makers."
"We're about to kick-start a new growth engine for the mobile industry," Ballmer said. "To grow, the wireless industry needs to provide end-to-end solutions and innovative services. We're creating great new tools to do just that."
Microsoft cited an IDC report stating that more than six million Windows Mobile-based connected devices shipped in 2005.
Direct Push
Ballmer noted the introduction of several new Windows Mobile-based devices that support "Direct Push" technology provided by the recently introduced Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) of Windows Mobile 5.0.
Among these devices are the HP iPAQ hw6900 Mobile Messenger, the ASUS P305 3G-enabled Smartphone, and the Fujitsu Siemens FS Pocket Loox. HTC also announced a new line of Direct Push enabled Windows Mobile devices that are expected to be available from T-Mobile and other operators beginning in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, Microsoft says that mobile operators Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, and Cingular Wireless will provide free upgrades to the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for all their Windows Mobile 5.0 customers.
Communicator Mobile
Ballmer announced the upcoming availability of Office Communicator Mobile, a package that provides offers workers with mobile device capabilities that "go beyond just simple voice services."
Microsoft describes Communicator Mobile as a "unified communications client" that combines voice services, security-enhanced instant messaging (IM), presence awareness, and VoIP telephony. The client is said to offer a consistent experience across both PCs and smart mobile devices.
Communicator Mobile will be available for download by Live Communication Server customers within 60 days, Microsoft said.
Live mobile TV demo
In a demonstration of live mobile TV, Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, joined Ballmer via a video message broadcast on stage, using what was claimed to be the "world's first DAB-IP enabled smartphone from HTC."
Branson announced that Virgin Mobile will be the first mobile operator to offer live digital TV on mobile phones, using a device he called the Virgin Mobile "tellyphone."
Mobile Device Center
Ballmer also offered the first demonstration of the Windows "Mobile Device Center," a mobility enhancement in Windows Vista.
The Mobile Device Center works with the new Windows Vista Sync Center to make it easier to connect mobile devices to PCs, and enable synchronization of data, contacts, pictures, music and more, according to Microsoft.
Mobile search
Ballmer also discussed the recent acquisition of mobile search firm MotionBridge, and outlined plans to extend Windows Live services to mobile devices.
In addition, he demonstrated Windows Live Mobile Search, which includes location-based search, and Windows Live Mail for Mobile, which shares a common address book with Windows Live services for PCs.
Emphasis on mobility
Ballmer's talk concluded:
So while we're working hard on end-to-end comprehensive mobile scenarios, device to business, device to service, device to personal content in the home, we also think we've got a very strong interoperability story that will allow us to work with you in a variety of important and creative ways.
We have learned over the last several years as we've really invested in the mobile business how essential it is for us to have the right partnerships with the ecosystem, the people who build the chips, TI, Qualcomm, et cetera; to the people who build phones and devices; but certainly first and foremost the right partnership with mobile operators. I would say I personally probably spend more of my time meeting with telecom executives, mobile and fixed line, than I do any other segment of our important partner and customer constituency, because we see so much of the action in our business and see so much of the growth opportunity in our business building off a very successful embrace of mobility and very successful partnership with mobile operators.
I get asked all the time, "Are you guys friends or are you guys foes?" Take only one message: We come as friends. We see opportunity to change the world together in a positive way.
Full talk transcript
A complete online transcript of Ballmer's 3GSM talk is available here.
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