Gates Releases Details on New Mobile OS 265
rjelks writes "Microsoft's Bill Gates released details about the company's new mobile operating system, code-named Magneto, at the Mobile & Embedded Developers Conference in Las Vegas today. There has been a lot of recent speculation about the new OS. People have been describing it as a possible 'Blackberry killer.' Windows Mobile 2005 will be released to hardware manufacturers immediately. The OS will integrate Smartphone, Pocket PC, and Pocket PC Phone Edition operating systems into one platform. It will also include updates to the mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint." Relatedly, ZDNet has an interview with Gates about the initiative.
Magneto? (Score:3, Funny)
Blackberry killer... (Score:5, Funny)
So is are the writing off the Embedded space? (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course Palm is going to build on top of Linux for there new version so It will be interesting to see what they do.
Re:So is are the writing off the Embedded space? (Score:3, Insightful)
WM 5 is just the shell. The OS is the new Win Ce 5.1, on which you can run any shell. One of its main features is the integrated
Surur
Re:So is are the writing off the Embedded space? (Score:2, Interesting)
Frankly a lot of apps do not need a 400 mhz+ Xscale.
Magneto (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Magneto (Score:5, Funny)
Nope! It's really... (Score:2)
WinNames (Score:3, Funny)
" WinCE + WinME + WinNT = WinCEMENT "
I think from today forward M$ is going to have trouble getting the computer world (excluding the M$Fanboys) excited about anything.
That is over even if they are and will continue to be rich
Cheers
Re:WinNames (Score:3, Funny)
http://www.geocities.com/rcwoolley/ [geocities.com]
Blackberry killer (Score:2, Funny)
10 bucks says it turns out to be more useful in the weed-killing sense...
Re:Blackberry killer (Score:2)
How many manufacturers will have software upgrades to allow users to install the new OS version on their PDAs/Smartphones? I'm willing to bet "Very, very few".
Most manufacturers are going to insist that users buy an entirely new device to get the benefits from this new version. So instead of paying $50-150 for a new OS, you're going to be paying hundreds for an entirely new bit of hardware.
Software upgrades drive sale
Re:Blackberry killer (Score:2)
So I think most PDAs will be able to be upgraded. I'd tend to think you are probably right when it comes to phones though.
Screen Shots of Windows Mobile 5 (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Screen Shots of Windows Mobile 5 (Score:3, Funny)
I'm sure many slashdot readers would like this feature for their desktop machine.
Re:Screen Shots of Windows Mobile 5 (Score:4, Insightful)
I'll tell you why.
First off, any program you try to install must be confirmed that you want the application. You (or your carrier) can also set the phone up so it will only accept signed applications, which I beleive means Microsoft approved it for use with the OS.
Do you worry about getting spyware on an XBox too? Every game that is put out for the XBox is signed by Microsoft as being legit. It's the same deal on MS Smartphone.
About your comment on Pocket Internet Explorer, Web browsing (no matter what browser you are using) over GPRS (celluar data) is slow. Think around 14.4, dialup speeds. My phone has a 200MHz processor and 32MB of RAM, so that influences how fast pages load, etc.
So any pages I visit, I goto them for a reason, because I want to view that page, and something important is there. For example while at work I can check on the status of a package on FedEx.com and see if I should go home for lunch and put the package inside the house instead of letting it stay outside for 8 hours.
I personally do not go browsing or searching for things on my phone that I do not implicitly trust.
On the otherhand, on my PC with fast internet, I could get a emailed link, get a link sent by a friend saying "hey this is cool"... my PC is so fast compared to a phone that you can click a link, and within seconds your machine is infected.
The problem is user authentication and proper policy management. For people who use their PC at home, this is a "nuisance" because many people would be using the PC, many people would want to install applications, and for a computer to ask for the master password whenever a program is installed is really just a out there idea. Most people want to be able to install whatever they want, whenever they want and not have to authenticate themselves.
Mac OS X can be set to authenticate when you install programs, there's no spyware for Macs. Linux authenticates before you start your user session, there's no spyware for Linux.
Windows for PC is meant to be stupid user friendly. That's what makes it a target for spyware. I talk to people almost daily who have gotten a major infection of spyware on their PC and that's because their 12 year old son installed Kazaa, or downloaded some free smiles, or wanted to check the weather. If there was user authentication on the PC when installing programs, it might be less of a target, because only an authorized user can install things.
That said, I do install unsigned applications on my phone. But at least I know what I am installing and when.
Why don't you shut up if you don't have an informed opinion, and I would ask you to call me as know as soon as there's a virus out there that bypasses user authentication and can install it onto my cellphone, but I'll be reading it via RSS -- on my phone.
PUSH (Score:4, Insightful)
That said....flame away
Re:PUSH (Score:3)
Re:PUSH (Score:2)
Re:PUSH (Score:2)
Re:PUSH (Score:2)
Re:PUSH (Score:2, Insightful)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/t rans/exchange/exc0428.mspx [microsoft.com]
Re:PUSH (Score:2)
Combining everything huh? (Score:2, Funny)
Smart MS, very very smart.
Re:Combining everything huh? (Score:2)
Blackberry Killer (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:2)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:2)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:2)
Re:Blackberry Killer (Score:3, Interesting)
Voodoo Killer [wired.com]? 3Dfx's Voodoo cards were the first products I can remember being targeted for "killing." Graphics history buffs know Voodoo got eaten by NVIDIA.
Unless the market leader makes it very difficult and/or inconvenient to switch, they can get killed. What makes the Blackberry so un-killable?
Re:What exactly is a Blackberry Killer? (Score:3, Interesting)
however, having used a blackberry, a treo, and a pocket pc device, i honestly have to say that the blackberry's design and form factor are geared more specifically towards effective mobile communication than the other two devices. for calls, both outgoing and incoming, most blackberries are a one-hand device. scroll wheel to a contact number, one click and i'm on a call. one click and I'm taking an incoming call. I can parse contact data from text messages and emails directl
More on Magneto: (Score:5, Funny)
More information on Magneto:
Years later Magnus reemerged as Magneto, who was determined to conquer the human race to prevent their oppression of mutants. Xavier's original team of X-Men thwarted his first public move in his war with humanity, the takeover of the Cape Citadel missile base. When they next clashed, Magneto was leading his original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, which included Wanda and Pietro, now known as the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.
Not until years later would Magneto learn that they were actually his children. At one point Magneto genetically engineered a being called Alpha the Ultimate Mutant, who rebelled against him and turned Magneto back into an infant. Magneto thereafter had a series of battles with Xavier's new team of X-Men.
Re:More on Magneto: (Score:2)
Re:More on Magneto: (Score:2, Funny)
Other computer software companies would do well to follow Microsoft's lead and use naming schemes based on mythology (Cyclops, Phoenix), natural phenomena (Storm, Sunspot not an X-man last time I checked, many years ago ) and as someone else said, animals.
Microsoft could have picked some really off the wall names from comic books...Galactus or the Silver Surfer.
Oh, here's one that would strike a chord on
Penguin.
Quick, Dial 911!!!! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Quick, Dial 911!!!! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Quick, Dial 911!!!! (Score:3, Funny)
OK, just as soon as my phone is done rebooting.
How horribly ironic it would be if the man in need of an ambulance died while you were rebooting after a blue screen of death.
Finally the proof : MS IS evil (Score:5, Funny)
Only on slashdot... (Score:2)
Ah, (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ah, I wish (Score:3, Funny)
Heck, I would by a copy for that alone.
"White shores...and beyond... the far green country under a swift sunrise."
Um...your phone is ringing
Shut up, let it ring (sigh)
Sera
Magneto? (Score:5, Interesting)
Microsoft: The new Apple wannabe? I dunno.
-- n
Re:Magneto? (Score:4, Insightful)
New? Where have you been for the past 20 odd years?
Re:Magneto? (Score:3, Funny)
There are only two types of OS names from microsoft!
Steers and XPers.
Which are you son?
Re:Magneto? (Score:2)
It seems like "Longhorn" is closer seeing as it's a an animal.
OS's code-named after supervillians... (Score:5, Funny)
What happened to MS naming their releases after cities?
Next OS is going to be 'Red Skull', but with none of the anti-semitism that so many would like to accuse MS of.
After that, look forward to 'Kingpin' OS, with plenty of features to make sure that Microsoft stays at the top of the heap, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
The 'Juggernaut' OS will mark MS's return to using the X-Men's enemies as code names, but will also describe the install footprint.
'Apocalypse' OS will be release immediately after Billy G. has been declared world dictator for life, forever and ever amen.
Re:OS's code-named after supervillians... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:OS's code-named after supervillians... (Score:2)
No, 'Apocalypse' will be the MS OS which leads up to that. The release immediately after Billy G. has been declared world dictator for life will be called `Leviathan' [idirect.com], named after the ultimate evil [oregonstate.edu].
Possible? (Score:3, Funny)
I think that was part of the original script that got cut from the movie; just as Arthur is losing his arms and Ford is turning into a penguin, Microsoft releases a "Blackberry Killer" OS. On the other hand, the Microsoft "iPod killer" was determined to be of such high improbability that it would have occurred before they were rescued from certain death.
Actually... (Score:2)
My bet (Score:3, Funny)
...think about it..
...a little bit more..
There you go!
Looking good... (Score:2, Interesting)
In other news.... (Score:2)
Well (Score:5, Interesting)
I just wouldn't want to be beta testing that
Nevermind... (Score:2)
Now if they could only make the bundled apps (Pocket Whatever) actually useful. Thus far, I have had to purchase replacements for the crap versions. Of course, I'm still waiting on Minimo.
Xavier (Score:4, Funny)
Namewars - So now Blackberry needs to come out with Xavier.
Why SmartPhone is crap (Score:5, Informative)
They're going to have to make a whole lot of changes to make this dog hunt. Problems with the current SmartPhone:
* Sync: you can sync with (just) one device. Don't ever try to unsync with that device, tho - in my case, you just can't. My notebook and phone are bonded forever.
* Interface: One more time: the Windows Start button metaphor doesn't work on small devices. Other issues include that it can take several steps to get to common programs.
* Non-intuitive/inconsistent UI: Sometimes, you can cancel out of something with the "red phone" button like on other phones. Sometimes you have to back out of things with the cursor button. Users of pretty much any other phone UI will go crazy.
* Not invented here syndrome: MMS uses AMR encoding for audio. Smartphone (at least my version) just doesn't support it, period.
* Crashes: It crashes a lot more than other phone OSes I've tried. Sometimes the crashes are partial - like losing networking ability.
* LONG boot time: takes over a minute for my phone to come up.
* Difficult to configure: the interface for configuring email and other internet apps is horrid and slow. Can't do it from a desktop app.
* Web browser is just totally wonky: some things load. Some things don't. What loaded yesterday doesn't work today.
* Slow: I believe that my device as a 200mhz processor in it, but screen updates and nav is really, really slow.
* You get charged for everything: there is seemingly no community, but just software vendors. Folks that are spoiled by all the nice gadgety apps available on Palm and Symbian are going to be disappointed.
Give me a Treo or Symbian device any day. I only use the thing because it was free, and I'm thinking seriously about ebaying it anyway.
Microsoft has a lot of work here before they kill anything. I'm hating this thing so much that I'm about ready to go back to my "dumb" phone and PDA combo that I used before.
jh
Re:Why SmartPhone is crap (Score:3, Informative)
Shameless plug: www.spv-developers.com
Still small, but growing rapidly. We've worked on several interesting OSS projects, and have some revolutionary new stuff planned for the coming weeks
Marvel Universe (Score:2)
Why spend hundreds of dollars on a phone? (Score:4, Interesting)
Computers are overly complex as it, why make phones the same way? For example, a friend of mine asked me to help him export/import his contact list from Outlook. He couldn't figure it out even though this is a feature that's been around for a good, long time, but probably a majority of users don't know how to use it.
That's why I've started messagingreminder.com [messagingreminder.com] so you can automatically recieve reminders on your appointments (which are stored in Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Sunbird) -- you don't have to do anything but run the software!
I rather have a $50 with a good battery life and reception than a +$300 phone that I can't figure out how to use and quickly drains its battery.
Four words (Score:3, Interesting)
Suddenly... (Score:2)
Bob.
"D00dz!" said Bob, but it was no use: Bob was crushed like the useless crapsack that he was.
Re:Suddenly... (Score:2)
I wish that God were still alive to see this!
It'll take Hardware (Score:3, Insightful)
If/When microsoft can pressure hardware makers into creating something that has form and fucntion, then all the bells and whistles of a new OS will help push them over the top. Until then, the blackberry will continue to own the business communications market...
Are the apps still going to be crippled versions? (Score:5, Insightful)
That was when the Pocket PC was supposed to be a "Palm Killer". Well, it was cellphones that really tromped on the traditional Palm, and Microsoft almost completely failed to get a position in that market while I see the Handspring/Palm Treo all over the place.
Now they're going for a "Blackberry Killer". I wonder what that portends for their applications. Will they finally let the Windows CE platform really compete with the ultralight laptops and Tablet PC on anything like a level playing field?
one device that will be running it (Score:4, Interesting)
Blackberry Killer? (Score:5, Interesting)
Hell, I think PalmOne's Treo could kill the blackberry if it offered REAL push email and instant messanger applications.
But knowing Microsoft, this thing is going to end up bundled with Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, the entire Microsoft Office suite, and be just slightly too big for my pocket.
I want: 1. small as possible 2. best screen possible 3. blackberry/treo keyboard 4. push email 5. IM
That's it.
Re:Blackberry Killer? (Score:3, Informative)
1. small as possible -- Got that, I have a Mpx200 which is 4 oz. and 1.90x3.5x1.06 in. Certainly a phone form factor first.
2. best screen possible -- It's an old phone, so it's only 176x220 pixel display, but certainly works for my phone/PDA needs. Newer devices will have better displays I'm sure.
3. blackberry/treo keyboard -- Nope, shortcoming here, but once again, it's an old device.
4. push email -- EAS allows push email, calendar, etc.
5. IM -- Has that too.
Added things I like you d
Re:Blackberry Killer? (Score:2, Interesting)
There is a REAL push email option. The software you seek is Good. No, really. Check out GoodLink ( www.good.com ) and see how they are already one-upping blackberry [good.com] by doing crazy wacky things like letting you CHOOSE from a bunch of different phones and setup a new managed phone without touching or cradling it, EVER. Palm and Windows Mobile devices are supported with talks of Symbian on
Does anyone actually use Pocket Office? (Score:4, Interesting)
Is anyone really doing last minute alterations to presentations on their phone?
Re:Does anyone actually use Pocket Office? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Does anyone actually use Pocket Office? (Score:2)
Word Mobile is not primarily designed to provide much support for editing -- as the GP said, trying to edit much of anything on a handheld device is not a compelling user experience. The primary use the team optimized for was high-fidelity viewing of documents along with occasional small deltas with minimal feature loss. WordMobile supports lossless editing during roundtrip (to the extent possible: it doesn't support revision marks). The product team foc
Re:Does anyone actually use Pocket Office? (Score:2)
But how big? (Score:3, Insightful)
That is quite a large functionality footprint, what is the target footprint for this thing? It would also be great if in the new version they could realise that a SmartPHONE is a PHONE first and a PDA second and stop with all the stupid bloody modal windows (volume is MODAL for godsake).
Interesting, but in terms of marketshare its about as relevant as a new release of Mac OSX is to the desktop.
Personally... (Score:5, Insightful)
I will always avoid all their products like the plague and use my influence to guide others to avoid them also.
I know it sounds like trolling, but I'm not posting anonymously, and I AM serious, this is my opinion, and this is reality.
I represent a segment of consumers who are completely fed up to the gills with Microsoft and are tired of constantly giving them another chance.
This will again be just like all their other products; it'll be inferior, there'll be interoperability problems with everyone's else's products, and Microsoft will continue to promise that the next version will be perfect, which by now, we've all realized is bunk.
Of course, if the product ever takes off at all, Microsoft will have realized their goal: to drive another competitor out of business. They'll then proceed to completely ignore the product and its users, just like they've done with Internet Explorer or Office. With no competition, there is no impetus to improve.
So again, NO THANKS, Microsoft.
There are alternatives, so support the other vendors, buy their products!
Free speech AND free beer? YES, PLEASE!
Re:Personally... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Personally... (Score:3, Informative)
And well you should.
I've used Windows since Windows/286 and I've written lots of software for Windows. I've also rolled-out lots of Microsoft products for various projects and work environments.
I've made up my mind based on my own research and come to the conclusion that I have through logic.
Sounds like you do the same. I can't argue that.
Re:Personally... (Score:2)
"For me, it doesn't matter what product Microsoft develops anymore. I will always avoid all their products like the plague and use my influence to guide others to avoid them also."
If you've "come to the conclusion that [you] have through logic" it's exactly the logic I avoid in advice from people. To ignore a product or idea because of past products or ideas of an entity is just fine. Perhaps you don't feel that the time to research the new product or idea is worth yo
Re:Personally... (Score:2)
No wait, that isn't quite true; there's ALWAYS time to evaluate it, but I've lost that urge to download the obligatory "this one is free, but the next one won't be" SDK that inevitably follows the first tangible release of one of Microsoft's new technologies (I use the terms 'new' and 'technology' loosely).
I've learned that the deeper you put your hand in that particular meat-grinder, the more of your arm you'll lose.
So yes, BY ALL
Y'know... (Score:3, Insightful)
The first person sticks his hand in boiling water, gets burned, and from there on out avoids sticking his hand in boiling water.
The second person sticks his hand in boiling water, gets burned, waits a while, then sticks his hand right back in the boiling water just to see if its still hot.
History generally considers the first person to be the wiser. No pun intended, but you can only get burned so many times before it just isn't worth it any more.
Re:Personally... (Score:2)
Why magneto? (Score:5, Funny)
The hand-cranked generators used on early telephones and, for rather longer, on field telephones was also called a magneto, and I guess this is why Microsoft has expropriated yet another common word for its products.
So from this important piece of information we can work out the features of magneto the operating system:
Re:Why magneto? (Score:2)
Don't forget the hardware! (Score:3, Insightful)
It's good MS is improving WinMob... (Score:2)
So in other words... (Score:2)
Problem is that Gates STILL doesn't get it. (Score:2, Insightful)
But now that that game is over, none of the mom and pop PC assemblers have two nickels to rub together.
He's in a real bind because NOBODY can just break into the telecom market. Its too well regulated. The FCC can be bought to mandate AGAINST phones that have lousy characteristics just like the auto industry was mandated against selling cars that have jousy characteristics (Name "Corvair" ring
Microsoft Reader? (Score:2, Insightful)
Now that all the versions of Windows Mobile have been unified, it is legitimate to expect Microsoft Reader to move to smartphones as well. It is a market Microsoft has surprisingly neglected to explore so far.
Any reports about Reader and WM2005?
Its NOT the OS... (Score:4, Insightful)
Bill Gates and many other senior members of companies that produce operating systems delusionally believe that people somehow care about the OS that their computer or device runs.
They don't.
People care what their device DOES , not what their device is POWERED by.
If these devices run OS/2, Amiga, DOS, whatever... does not matter. If it does what they want, talks to their other devices in a non-confusing way, and can read their data formats (PIM data, documents, media formats, etc.), the OS does not matter.
In fact, with virtualization becoming more and more popular (and available), your hardware will be running multiple OS' at the same time and guess what... you won't care.
The data is what matters. The function is what matters. The OS does not matter.
The only reason we care about the OS right now, is because in most cases (i.e. Microsoft), the OS lacks that functionality, or the functionality it provides is horribly broken, so we fight with it, instead of work with it.
Named after... (Score:3, Funny)
Good job.
Re:Microsoft (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Microsoft (Score:2)
Re:The real question: (Score:2)
Re:Let me... (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2003/11
Re:magneto (Score:3, Funny)
A phone manipulates the magnetic fields around you. That's how it works.
If the car's in your way on the freeway, just hold the phone up to your ear, weave around in traffic, and speed up. They'll move.
If you can't reach the remote, I'm sure that there's a hack to use the phone as a remote. If there isn't one yet, there will be soon enough.
As for mutants, it's pre-emptive. For proof, I say you don't see any metal-skeletoned mutants around here, do you?
Re:Yayyy!!! (Score:2)
Re:Some more failed "Killer Products" from MS (Score:2)