Mobile vendor strategies 05-14-05

Microsoft is rolling out a new version of its mobile software (Windows Mobile 5.0), and made a deal with Philips Electronics. WM 5.0 is targeted to support hard drives in phones, creating a new class of devices competing with music players. The deal with Philips covers the introduction of Microsoft technology into Philips chipsets. Philips will sell chipsets in a variety of consumer devices and jointly market them with Microsoft to other consumer-electronics makers. It is obviously another step in Microsoft strategy to enter the media and music markets.

Huawei says it could run some of its mobile softswitch customers. Deals could be announced soon. Huawei has 32 softswitch mobile customers in 27 countries.