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Bsqaure named first Windows Mobile distribution partner - Microsoft employees not needed anymore?
November 06, 2009 [General]
So Microsoft thinks that by outsourcing distribution of Windows Mobile to some unknown company will encourage manufacturers to put Windows Mobile on their devices? Nonsense! Look, Windows Mobile is now the only commercial operating system, for which manufacturers need to pay a license - 15 to 25 dollars. Both Android and Symbian are free. And now instead of getting support directly from Microsoft, they will have to cope with some 3rd party company like Bsquare.

We have a feeling that Microsoft is starting slowly to distance itself from Windows Mobile and it may mean that Microsoft is preparing their own hardware phone, something like "Zune HD phone" or maybe simply Microsoft is giving up on this whole mobile phone thingy... but one is for sure: this is yet another mistake of Microsoft. Manufacturers will not like it as we have heard previously from manufacturers that Microsoft treats preferably only HTC and other manufacterers had problems to get speed support from Microsoft while HTC was getting things quickly.

More information from Bsquare (as Microsoft didn't even bother to publish a story about it) follows...

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Bsquare named first distributor for new Windows Mobile channel strategy

BSQUARE Corporation, the leading software solutions provider to the global embedded device community, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Microsoft Corp. under which Bsquare will be the first company to distribute Windows Mobile software and mobility applications internationally.

Bsquare will begin supporting approximately 30 select Windows Mobile partners with licensing, technical support and go-to-market activities as their current direct agreements with Microsoft end. Bsquare will offer personalized account management and highly-responsive technical support to ensure these Windows Mobile OEMs are successful with current Windows Mobile products.

“Microsoft is pleased to announce Bsquare as the first distributor for the Mobile Indirect Channel initiative. Microsoft continues to enrich and expand its Windows Mobile ecosystem and build upon the stability, reliability, performance and richness of Windows Mobile,” said Daren Mancini, general manager in the OEM division at Microsoft. “As developers and OEMs expand the number of mobile applications, services and devices, Microsoft is taking a new approach to sell and support Windows Mobile to a broader base of both consumer- and enterprise-focused Windows Mobile customers. Bsquare is uniquely positioned to leverage its deep knowledge of the Windows Mobile operating system, ecosystem and marketplace and serve the broader base of customers with its consultative approach.”

“Mobility solutions are one of the most sought after technologies in the workplace today,” according to Philippe Winthrop, director of enterprise mobility at Strategy Analytics. “Given the opportunity for improved flexibility and performance of a workforce, mobile platforms that can support the needs of both knowledge works and field/fleet service professionals provide valued scalability to IT and line of business managers. Growth in this market will only accelerate as markets continue to exit this global recession.”

Bsquare will work closely with Microsoft to take the Windows Mobile platform to a broad set of mobility OEMs and operators worldwide. Bsquare will enable new mobility OEMs to get to market more quickly with its TestQuest automated testing products customized for Windows Mobile devices. Bsquare also will provide Windows Mobile reference designs and board support packages in partnership with leading silicon vendors, communication stacks, technical support, training, engineering services and other value-add products to the broad base of Windows Mobile customers.

“Being named Microsoft’s first Windows Mobile distribution partner is a significant milestone for Bsquare. Windows Mobile is the only mobile operating system that enables solution providers to offer seamless integration of applications and connectivity for device users to enterprise business centers making it the obvious choice not only for handsets but also for ruggedized devices such as data collection terminals or telematics devices,” said Brian Crowley, Bsquare’s president and CEO. “We anticipate working with new and existing Windows Mobile OEMs and moving them to market quickly with our experience in all phases of Windows Mobile development and by offering our breadth partners support throughout their development cycles.”

Bsquare will distribute Windows Mobile software internationally including Windows Mobile 6.5, the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile software launched October 6, 2009. New Bsquare customers will include both handset manufacturers developing WindowsŽ phones for consumers and rugged device manufacturers shipping data collection terminals to businesses and other OEMs.

Bsquare currently distributes Windows Embedded licenses in North America and offers system integration services at 10 development centers located in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Taiwan, China and India. During the last 12 months Bsquare has worked on service engagements with 15 unique Windows Mobile customers on projects such as Windows Mobile porting, application development, quality assurance testing and LTK (Logo Test Kit) testing preparation.

For more information about Windows Mobile licensing and to take advantage of special training offers, visit www.bsquare.com/windowsmobile

Credit: 1800PocketPC.com (submitted through news submission form).



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