Microsoft kicked off day one of the 3GSM World Conference by announcing that a team up with Singapore-based Flextronics to produce a series of cheap, high-spec hand units running Windows Mobile. Called the ‘Peabody’ platform, the phone will be able to do all the old tricks like record video, run Windows Media Player, or erase itself if stolen—just like that really smart dog from “Rocky and Bullwinkle,” except it doesn’t smell like old ham and Virginia Slims.
The GSM/GPRS phones will be made-to-order and adaptable for all carriers, making them potentially shock troops in Microsoft’s fight to dominate the wireless market against the likes of Palm OS and Symbian. It’s not so much that the Peabody phones will be crammed full of new features, but that they’ll be crammed full of today’s common smartphone features on the cheap. If carriers can give away moderately powerful Windows Mobile smartphones for not much money, everybody wins (except the other phone vendors).
Product Page [Motorola via Tech-DigestUK]
