Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 2005

The Windows Mobile 2005 operating system is expected during Mobile and Embedded DevCon 2005 that takes place this week between 9 and 12 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino from Las Vegas.

Although hackers have posted versions of the new operating system on the Internet, Microsoft couldn't miss the opportunity of an official "baptize". During this event, the company might reveal the mobile devices that will benefit from this new version of the operating system.

Initially, Windows Mobile 2005 had been announced for February, but Microsoft, as usual, postponed the software's release, but "only" with three months.

As we have found out from unofficial sources, the system requirements are: 32 MB of Flash ROM, 64MB of RAM; Magneto (code name for Windows Mobile 2005) will settle with 200MHz processor.

The system is based on the kernel of the Windows Compact Edition (WinCE) 5.1, and the main innovations are related to the handling of the device with only one hand, without the aid of touchscreen. Another novelty is the possibility of adding photographs and songs to each contact from the agenda. Word Mobile benefits from a series of improvements: image insertion and format preserving during editing, Excel has been revised; the absolute novelty is PowerPoint Mobile.

Windows's main competitors are PalmOne, Symbian and Blackberry. The leader of the mobile market is Symbian, with a market share of 61.4%, an incredible boost compared to last year's 40.5%. Microsoft is on the second place with 18.3 percents, and the last position is occupied by PalmSource which barely made it over the 10% threshold.