Microsoft rolls out smartphones software

Microsoft has launched a line of Windows Phones with the company's rollout Tuesday of its new software for smartphones.

Windows Mobile 6.5, Microsoft's competitive offer to counter Apple's iPhone and offerings from other companies, is the latest operating system for mobile phones that can surf the Internet, send e-mail and run applications.

Even though phones with Windows Mobile are being branded "Windows phones," Microsoft develops only the software, which independent manufacturers then install on their phones. In contrast, Apple makes both the software and the hardware for the iPhone.

Windows phones, made by HTC and Samsung, will be sold by AT&T, Verizon and Sprint in the U.S.

The new software includes touch-screen technology, a redesigned Web browser and a Windows Marketplace for Mobiles where developers can sell applications. A My Phone service, free until the end of November, allows owners to back up data from their phone and track the phone's location if lost. After November, the backup will remain free but seven-day access to the locator service will cost $4.99.

By the end of the year, Microsoft expects the software to be available on 30 devices.

Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, in a video promoting the new phones, called them a "major step" in a "new path for our mobility strategy that promises more frequent improvements and exciting new products."

He emphasized Microsoft's ability to offer the software on a variety of phones. The company also talked up how users could use the phone for both work and play, whether opening a Word document or updating their social-networking sites.

In an address to venture capitalists last week, Ballmer reportedly acknowledged that Microsoft was off its game in developing mobile software.

The previous version of Windows Mobile came out in January 2008. According to research firm Canalys, Microsoft's share of the smartphone market has dropped, from 14.3 percent in the second quarter of 2008 to 9 percent in the second quarter of this year. Apple's share grew from 2.1 percent to 13.7 percent in the same period. The industry leader is Symbian with 50.3 percent of the market.

Apple has also been successful in winning over developers, with more than 85,000 applications now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Last week, the company said more than 2 billion applications have been downloaded.

Ballmer said last week that Microsoft planned to get back on track with Windows Mobile 7, although the company has not said when that will be released.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com