| Windows Mobile 6.1 poised for CTIA launch? |
Mar. 26, 2008
 Over 40,000 people have registered for next week's CTIA Wireless 2008, touted as the "premier event representing the global wireless industry." The show kicks off with a keynote by Microsoft EDD (Entertainment and Devices Division) President Robert Bach, who will likely announce Windows Mobile 6.1.
No details have been released for Bach's keynote, scheduled for 9 am on Apr. 1. However, it has been widely rumored to include a launch of the incremental Windows Mobile upgrade, for the following reasons:- Some journalists have reportedly received invitations to an "exciting Windows Mobile announcement" scheduled for the same day
- Some bloggers claim to have obtained phones with Windows Mobile 6.1 on board, and screenshots have been leaked on the net
- Microsoft showed off the upgrade to Windows Mobile MVPs and selected journalists last November, promising its release during the first quarter of 2008
- HTC already announced a PDA/phone, the Advantage X7510, billed as including a "future version of Windows Mobile" and scheduled to ship by the end of March
Among other new features, Windows Mobile 6.1 is expected to offer a "carousel" user interface, similar to the one already created by Microsoft for Vodafone UK (below). For more details on the upgrade, and links to our earlier coverage, see below.
 
Windows Mobile 6.1 may offer this "carousel" user interface
Regardless of any new Microsoft announcement, CTIA Wireless 2008, which runs from Apr. 1 to 3 in Las Vegas, will include plenty of Windows Mobile content. The roster of exhibitors -- claimed to include 1,200 companies -- includes not only Microsoft, but also a who's who of relevant phone vendors.
Various officials from Microsoft's mobile communications business will also participate in five different educational sessions, as follows:- General manager Tony Mestres is scheduled to appear as a panelist in "Open networks: what will they be like and when will they be available?" (1 pm on Apr. 1)
- Senior director John Traynor is scheduled to be part of a panel discussing "Applications platforms and key trends in mobile software development" (2:30 pm, Apr. 1)
- General manager Scott Horn will be on a panel discussing "The 'Pro-sumer' -- leveraging the overlap between professional and consumer subscribers" (3:30 pm, Apr. 1)
- Senior director Tim McDonough will join panelists from Symbian, Trolltech, and Research in Motion to discuss "Operating systems, user interfaces, and browsers: where is the technology going?" (2:30 pm, Apr. 2)
- General manager John O'Rourke will be on a panel discussing "Software as services: moving beyond the service plan" (4 pm, Apr. 2)
Among other interesting content at this diverse show, our sister publication eWeek.com will present an event called "Opportunities and obstacles implementing wireless applications for medium and large organizations." Moderators Eric Lundquist and Wayne Rash will be joined by "c-level executives" to talk about the process of planning and implementing wireless applications, including security considerations.
Windows Mobile 6.1
In recent months, Microsoft has taken a number of steps to raise the profile of Windows Mobile, including bundling the Zumobi "mobile widget platform", customizing the user interface for specific carriers, and revamping its Windows Mobile website. As noted earlier, the company has also shown off a new version of Windows Mobile -- likely to be called Windows Mobile 6.1 or Windows Mobile 6 Second Edition -- and scheduled it for release during the first quarter of this year.
Rumored features for the Windows Mobile upgrade include:- A new user interface, including a "carousel" program launcher and other features
- Improvements in WiFi functionality and Bluetooth pairing
- Better Exchange 2007 integration
- Threaded SMS with SMS contact search
- Office Mobile 6.1 software
- Compatibility with Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008
For further details of Windows Mobile 6.1, see our earlier coverage, here. The website Boy Genius Report offers a gallery of claimed Windows Mobile 6.1 screenshots, here.
Further information
More information on CTIA Wireless can be found on the organizer's website, which offers an exhibitor list here, and a list of educational sessions here. Information on the eWeek event can be found here.
Finally, Microsoft will be located at Booth 1515 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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