14 DAY TRIAL // One new feature that the owners of devices running under Microsoft's Windows Phone platform will be able to enjoy before 2011 is over is the business instant messaging solution Lync.
The Redmond-based software giant already announced plans to make this move, and the company is now getting closer to an official release.
What's more interesting is the fact that the service will be available for the owners of other mobile operating systems as well, including Android, BlackBerry and iOS.
In a recent tweet, Microsoft Australia confirmed the move, yet an official announcement has to arrive.
Apparently, the messaging service will arrive on mobile devices in the next four weeks, bringing along voice and video messaging, conferencing capabilities, support for file sharing, and a variety of other capabilities too.
Previously, the multi-platform solution was said to arrive on devices running under Symbian as well and, although the said message does not make any reference to it, we might expect for that flavor of the app to be launched this year as well.
Clearly, Microsoft is preparing for war on the messaging area on mobile devices, otherwise one would not explain the near launch of Lync.
With Windows Live Messenger already available for those who own Windows Phone devices, and Skype coming soon to the platform, Microsoft has got its own mobile OS covered well.
The same can be said about other smartphone platforms out there, since Skype already landed on them, offering messaging and voice or video calling for end-users, and Lync is coming soon with business-grade features, taking the instant communication to a whole new level.
The only thing that has been omitted so far is the exact day when Lync makes its debut on the mobile space. However, provided that rumors do pan out, we should learn more on the matter in a matter of weeks.