Windows Mobile 6.5 incoming. Plus, Redmond and Red Hat are virtual friends, Microsoft warns against skipping Vista, and more.
by Doug Barney
The mobile phone business is nothing if not competitive. Vendors are a who's who of computing, including Google, Apple and Microsoft (I'd like to see all three of these in a room talking about standards!). Microsoft got into the market a bit late, and early efforts were flakier than a Hostess pastry. Then the software got better and some pretty dang cool Windows phones came out. Even Palm worked with the software.
My understanding is the most recent mobile OS is pretty good, so I expect that Windows Mobile 6.5, which is imminent, is even better. The rev includes a new touch interface, a Web site where developers can sell their wares and better syncing for data, contacts and mail.
Redmond and Red Hat: Virtual Buds
Microsoft and Novell these days are better friends than Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza. Redmond recently reached a new détente with VMware owner EMC, and just this week Microsoft made nice with Red Hat.
The Red Hat deal makes sure that Linux runs as a host under Windows Server and that Windows Server runs as a host under Linux.
Technically speaking, this isn't a big deal. What is a big deal is each company's acknowledgement and agreement of support. It may seem minor, but agreements like this are a pretty big deal. Congrats to both parties.
Windows Bully Pulpit
In the mid-1980s I covered Microsoft for Computerworld. I remember Steve Ballmer telling me -- and expecting me to tell others -- that customers should move from MS-DOS to Windows to prepare for the ultimate migration to OS/2 and its GUI component Presentation Manager. Ever since, it seems that Microsoft has pushed IT not to skip OSes but move one step at a time, in tandem with Microsoft releases.
Now Microsoft is warning of the perils of skipping Vista. Apparently, there's a very real danger that if you stick with XP, somehow your key apps will no longer be supported. If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I can lease you.
Your Turn: Microsoft's Economic Stamina
Microsoft had a tough last quarter. Revenue and profits were down and the company announced 5,000 layoffs. I'm working up an essay that looks at how Microsoft technologies may see it through tough times.
Do you think Microsoft has the stuff to make it through economic calamity? What are the strongest parts of its portfolio: Azure, Live Mesh, SaaS, Visual Studio, Windows 7?