News & Information for Technology Purchasers
NewsFactor Network Sites:   NewsFactor.com Security CRM Business Sci-Tech Newsletters XML/RSS Feed  
   
Home Enterprise I.T. Hardware Software Communications More Topics...
Microsoft/Windows
Average Rating:
Rate this article:  
Report: Microsoft, Verizon Think Pink, Plan Smartphone Report: Microsoft, Verizon Think Pink, Plan Smartphone
By Patricia Resende
April 30, 2009 1:52PM

    Bookmark and Share
The Wall Street Journal says a rumored iPhone-rival smartphone from Microsoft and Verizon Wireless is in the works. Microsoft and Verizon's touchscreen, multimedia smartphone is code-named Pink, and will include music and video functionality and access to Microsoft's new app store, Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
 

Advertisement

This week, the rumor mill was busy with speculation about Microsoft Relevant Products/Services and Verizon Wireless developing a smartphone to compete with Apple's iPhone.

Now, citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the software giant and the mobile-phone carrier are in talks to develop a multimedia touchscreen phone, code-named Pink. The device is expected to be available next year.

Jeffrey Nelson from Verizon Wireless, however, declined to confirm any of the reports, saying, "We're not commenting on this sort of marketplace rumor."

Project Pink

The Journal reported that Verizon has been working for several months on Pink, a project started by Microsoft, to develop the touchscreen multimedia cell phone for Verizon's network.

The device would include music and video functionality, as well as software that would add another platform to extend Windows Mobile. Windows Marketplace for Mobile, Microsoft's new app store, is also likely to be included, according to the Journal.

The Pink project is building on both the hardware and software knowledge that Microsoft gained from its acquisition of Danger, creator of the T-Mobile Sidekick, last year.

Too Little, Too Late?

Analysts believe it may be too late for any "iPhone killer," as Apple has had the lead for some time.

"It might mean that Verizon Wireless holds on to a few more customers," said Ken Dulaney, vice president with Gartner. "But it does not bring customers to Verizon Wireless."

As for Microsoft, there would be some issues with the operating system and user interface.

"One, it would have to be using Windows Mobile 6.5, which is nowhere near the iPhone in terms of user experience. That is why Microsoft is planning Windows Mobile 7, which we don't believe is due until year-end 2010," Dulaney explained.

The device could use HTC's TouchFLO interface, which is layered on top of Windows Mobile 6.5.

"They have been working to improve this because they have been disappointed in Microsoft's progress to date," Dulaney added. "While the UI is better and more intuitive, it's still not up to iPhone standards."

When Microsoft delivers its app store, users must recognize that the experience is not just based on having a lot of apps in the store, said Dulaney -- it depends on the device, too. "The hardware has to be great and the software UI has to be great," he said. "Both have been weak so far."

Rumor Mill in Overdrive

Earlier this week, there was speculation that Apple may be working on a device for Verizon Wireless. Reports suggested an iPhone lite with a lower price point than the iPhone 3G, which AT&T Relevant Products/Services sells.

Meanwhile, another story emerged that had Microsoft launching a rival to the iPhone, the ZunePhone, through Verizon Wireless. Microsoft didn't dispute talks with Verizon, but said it's not working on a ZunePhone.
 

Advertisement


Advertisement


 Microsoft/Windows
1.   Ballmer Says Windows 7 Sales Good
2.   Office 2010 Integrates with the Web
3.   MS Told To Stop Some Windows Sales
4.   Microsoft Releases Multiple Betas
5.   IE9 Likely To Access PC Hardware


advertisement
Just How Secure Is Windows 7?Just How Secure Is Windows 7?
Sophos, Microsoft have different views.
Average Rating:
Vista More Secure Than Windows XPVista More Secure Than Windows XP
Windows 7 security could be expensive.
Average Rating:
Patch Tuesday Fixes Serious ThreatsPatch Tuesday Fixes Serious Threats
Three of six patches rated critical.
Average Rating:


advertisement


 Random Bytes
IE9 Likely To Access PC Hardware Can New Bing Features Best Google?
MS Told To Stop Some Windows Sales Office 2010 Integrates with the Web
Product Information and Resources for Technology You Can Use To Boost Your Business

Enterprise Hardware

  Go Green with IBM Blade Center
  

Network Security Spotlight
House Lawmakers Push Ban on Peer-to-Peer Software
Stung by an embarrassing electronic leak revealing ethics investigations into dozens of lawmakers, Congress moved to prohibit federal employees from using the file-sharing software blamed for the disclosure.
 
GAO: Los Alamos Computer Security Has Weaknesses
Security weaknesses uncovered in Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer network increase the risk of a classified-information breach, says the Government Accountability Office.
 
Computer Security Firm Fortinet Plans IPO This Week
Fortinet plans to go public in an initial public offering, giving investors a chance to tap a network security provider with sales that are expected to grow. The IPO could be valued at $137.5 million or more.
 

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
New Pogoplug 'Personal Cloud' Does Social Networking
Cloud Engines has released its newest version of the Pogoplug, a small "multimedia sharing device" that connects hard drives to the Internet and allows a user to access the files remotely.
 
Apple Tablet Rumored Delayed as Publisher Gears Up
There have been so many rumors of an Apple tablet that it has taken on legendary status. But now the legend is being revised with reports of a delay and that a major publisher is getting ready.
 

Enterprise Technology Spotlight
Flat Shipments Hurt Dell Despite Increased Earnings
Dell's earnings are up and expectations are solid, but the company's stock still took a hit after analysts signaled the company isn't playing a key role in the PC market recovery.
 
Smartphones: A Bigger Target for Security Threats
Smartphones are increasingly prevalent and adept at handling more tasks, including trading stocks, paying bills, and buying stuff online. That makes them attractive to thieves and hackers.
 
FBI Says Hackers Targeting Law Firms, PR Companies
Hackers are targeting law firms and public relations companies with a sophisticated e-mail scheme that breaks into their computer networks to steal sensitive data, often linked to large corporate clients.
 

Navigation
NewsFactor Network
Home/Top News | Enterprise I.T. | Hardware | Software | Communications | Network Security | Wireless Tech | Linux/Open Source
Apple/Macintosh | Microsoft/Windows | World Wide Web | Data Storage | E-Commerce | Personal Tech | Tech Trends | Press Releases
NewsFactor Network Enterprise I.T. Sites
NewsFactor Technology News | Enterprise Security Today | CRM Daily

NewsFactor Business and Innovation Sites
Sci-Tech Today | NewsFactor Business Report

NewsFactor Services
FreeNewsFeed | Free Newsletters | Free Whitepapers | XML/RSS Feed

About NewsFactor Network | How To Contact Us | Article Reprints | Careers @ NewsFactor | Services for PR Pros | Top Tech Wire | How To Advertise

Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
© Copyright 2000-2009 NewsFactor Network. All rights reserved. Article rating technology by Blogowogo.