Motorola releasing Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets in H2 09

Motorola has confirmed its is reducing its 15 supported operating systems, including its MOTOMAGX and Symbian platforms to only 3, Google Android, Windows Mobile, and its own P2K 3G solutions.

Regarding Windows Mobile and its roadmap, Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive of Motorola and chief executive of mobile devices, was quite optimistic.

“Windows Mobile 6 has not delivered the experience that I think Apple has been able to deliver, but as you look at the plan that is Windows Mobile 7 and even 6.5, I think there are significant new added features which will help the platform,” Jha said. “We have now targeted new teams which are focused – in California and Seattle – to deliver experiences. That is where we have to differentiate.”

Motorola will open a new office in Seattle “in order to work closely with Microsoft to deliver differentiation” via the Windows Mobile platform, he said.

Motorola expects to release a phone based on Windows Mobile 6.5 platform in the second half of 2009, well before an Android-based device which will only come by the 2009 holiday season.

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