Microsoft job cuts to hit mobile?

Microsoft has said it's cutting 5,000 jobs worldwide during the next 18 months, with 1,400 going immediately. It's now reported that the company's Entertainment and Devices unit will be the first to suffer. This is the part of Microsoft that's responsible for Xbox, Zune and Windows Mobile -and many of the immediate cuts are expected here. [Source: ZDNet.com]

Three Microsoft mobile launches expected in Barcelona

Technology news website Neowin.com says Microsoft plans to announce three major new mobile products at next month's Mobile World Congress. It says we should expect Windows Mobile 6.5, a mobile application marketplace and an online sync & storage service.

Skyfire mobile browser hits UK

The free Skyfire mobile browser, which describes itself as "the only mobile browser that delivers both the speed and media-rich experience similar to the PC browser", is now available to UK customers. The current (beta) version runs on most Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. [Press blog]

World's fastest smartphone

Taiwan-based ASUS has announced the ASUS P565, a smartphone that contains an 800MHz processor - making it the fastest-running smartphone in the world. It has a 2.8-inch touch-sensitive display and uses Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. [Press release]

Motorola ditching Symbian and Linux OS phones

Motorola is going to concentrate on selling phones that use Google's Android operating system, Microsoft Windows Mobile and its own system in a bit to cut costs. Company co-CEO Sanjay Jha said Motorola would be dropping support for Symbian UIQ and the Java-Linux platform. It's also no longer planning to sell its mobile handset business in Q3 2009 but says it'll take longer. As part of the company's reorganisation, two thousand jobs are being cut from its mobile business, with three thousand - 4.5% of its global workforce - going overall. [Sources: WashingtonPost.com; Press release]

40% of smartphones running Windows Mobile by 2012

40% of smartphones worldwide will be running Windows Mobile by 2012, according to Microsoft's MD of Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) embedded devices in Asia. It's currently on course to deliver 20 million Windows Mobile devices in the company's current financial year, with its Windows Mobile 7 operating system scheduled for launch in 2009. [Source: DigiTimes.com]

Microsoft reveals improved operating system

Microsoft has released Windows Mobile 6.1 - an updated version of its mobile phone software - and has announced a new version of Internet Explorer Mobile. The new web browser includes Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, while Windows Mobile 6.1 offers faster set-up and an easier interface for keeping track of messages and information. [Microsoft press release]

Dell smartphone getting closer

Computer manufacturer Dell is close to announcing a Windows Mobile smartphone, according to news reports. It's said to be working closely with Taiwan-based electronics company Foxconn. [Sources: Digitimes.com, WashingtonPost.com, Macworld.com]

Google Gears goes mobile

Google has created a mobile version of Google Gears, which allows customers to use online services when there's no internet connection. The mobile version, which currently only works on Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices, will let people keep using web services even when there's no mobile coverage. [Google blog]

Mobile media set free by doubleTwist

doubleTwist Corporation has announced the creation of doubleTwist desktop, a free downloadable program that helps users share, enjoy and synchronise their personal media between different devices or friends. They've also created a similar Facebook application called "Twist me!" - with compatibility between the Sony PlayStation Portable, Nokia Nseries devices, Sony Ericsson Walkman and Cybershot phones, LG Viewty and Windows Mobile smartphones. The company, co-founded by Jon Lech Johansen (who became known as DVD Jon when he 'cracked' DVD copy protection), says its mission is to enable consumers to enjoy their digital media on the widest possible range of devices. [PDF press release]

Zumobi partners with Microsoft

Zumobi, which offers a widget-based interface for mobile web browsing, has announced a partnership that'll see its interface distributed on Windows Mobile devices. The service, which we first mentioned in December last year, is currently only available to customers in the USA. [Press release]