On Monday, Microsoft will unveil Windows Mobile 6, a new version of its cell phone operating software, though it won't appear on phones until the next quarter. Visually it looks a bit more like Windows Vista, but the main change is that it now includes the "pocket" version of Microsoft Office. Previously this has featured in the PDA version of the same Windows CE operating system.
Windows Mobile 6 includes the mobile versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It also includes the push-style email and Outlook sync via Microsoft Exchange servers, as introduced with Windows Mobile 5.
However, Mobile 6 will also integrate with the Windows Live online services, including Messenger.
All this should increase WM6's appeal in the business smartphone market that Microsoft is targeting. However, it's hard to see it having much if any appeal in the very much larger consumer market. "Oh wow, better sync with my Microsoft Exchange Server" can't be top of many wish lists.
