Microsoft unveils mobile initiatives in India

Mumbai, Nov 27: Microsoft India today unveiled its mobile initiatives for users in India.

From current news to movie reviews, sports updates to lifestyle tips, all this and much more with 100 per cent local flavour is available free to the end user.

Available across devices (Windows mobile, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, etc) users can access the MSN mobile portal service through device support or a GPRS connection. The services are available in all operator networks which allow access to third party portal.

In a statement here, MSN Mobile Product Manager David A Raissipour said, ''MSN has launched an outstanding browse portal for Indian mobile users, it is a one step format where the whole portal is remade on the mobile platform for better visibility and faster accessibility. The mobile portal launch in India follows the launch in the US and Thailand. Launch will happen in many other countries soon.'' MSN India Mobile Business Head Senthil Sundaram stated, ''The India MSN mobile portal has rich information across channels like news, sports, entertainment and lifestyle.

More channels will be launched as we go along. We also plan to launch contents as images and videos on our mobile portal soon.'' In September this year, Microsoft partnered with Nokia to bring Microsoft's Windows Live experience to mobile users across the world. With this, users with select Nokia N-Series and E-Series phones can access Windows Live services as WL Hotmail, WL Messenger, WL Spaces and Search on their phones. Microsoft and Nokia are working to expand this offering to additional phone models, including Series 40 Nokia devices. This is part of Microsoft's commitment to offer users a seamless experience on Windows Live services on the web and mobile phones.

The service is available in more than 20 markets worldwide, and Microsoft and Nokia will soon be rolling out this service in India.

Users of WL Hotmail and Messenger services can get access to these services via SMS, as Microsoft has connectivity with all major carriers in India. Users can get alerts on their mobile phones whenever they get a mail/IM, and can even reply to the messages.

Microsoft is also working towards integrating 2-way SMS functionality with its popular Windows Live Messenger whereby users can add any mobile user to his/her buddy list and start messaging via SMS.

With 200 plus million mobile phone subscribers and another seven million added every month, India is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world.

In India, Microsoft has partnered with Vodafone to launch the first ever mobile search offering in partnership with a telco last year.

UNI