Microsoft Mobile Phone Software Design Review Brings Leading Mobile Handset Vendors, Operators and Systems Integrators Together

Companies to Discuss Next-Generation Mobile Phone Software

LONDON -- Sept. 29 2000 -- Next week, Microsoft Corp. will hold its first Mobile Phone Software Design Review in London. At this NDA event, Microsoft seeks to detail its mobile phone products currently under development and to understand the specific requirements of handset vendors and mobile operators. Ben Waldman, vice president of the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft, will deliver a keynote presentation to the more than 150 attendees -- including representatives from the top seven handset vendors -- and his comments will be made available by webcast on Monday, Oct. 2 (see times and details at the end of the release).

"We're serious about mobile phone development, and we're serious about getting it right the first time with Microsoft Mobile Explorer and 'Stinger,' our smart phone solution due out next year," Waldman said. "Getting critical feedback on our design is essential, and this review is our effort to say to these potential partners, customers and competitors, 'tell us what you think; tell us what you need.' We want to help wireless companies deliver a new generation of wireless data services for mobile users, and we think we're off to a strong start."

Overview of Microsoft Wireless Device Software

Microsoft® mobile phone products are a key component of Microsoft's end-to-end wireless strategy to provide mobile Internet solutions that support a wide array of corporate and consumer end-user scenarios via Microsoft Mobile Information 2001 Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, the BackOffice® family and MSN® Mobile Service. Microsoft is focused on delivering a range of wireless mobile device software solutions, from smart and feature phones to PDAs. Software currently shipping or under development includes the following:

• "Stinger" smart phone. Microsoft's smart phone software, currently code-named "Stinger," seeks to combine the best features of the PDA with the best of the mobile phone, integrating voice capability and personal information management in a slim, stylish mobile phone. Microsoft is working with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., which is expected to deliver "Stinger"-based phones to market in 2001.
• Microsoft Mobile Explorer. Mobile Explorer is the first and only microbrowser to support both WAP- and HTML-based content, which is shipping today on feature phones from handset vendors, including Sony Digital Communication Europe. Other handset vendors, including Benefon, Ericsson and Samsung, are actively working on Mobile Explorer-based solutions. Mobile Explorer is an operating-system-independent microbrowser.
• Pocket PC. Launched in April and now available from hardware manufacturers including Casio, Compaq Computer Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., the Pocket PC is a wireless-ready PDA. Pocket PC users can send and receive wireless information by pairing their Pocket PC with their mobile phone or utilizing various Pocket PC expansion options.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

* To view the webcast of Ben Waldman's keynote presentation:

Members of the press are invited to view a webcast of Ben Waldman's Mobile Phone Software Design Review keynote presentation.

Date and time: Monday, Oct. 2 -- 10 a.m. PDT/6 p.m. GMT

Webcast will be available on demand after this time.

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/mobilephone/default.asp

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