Microsoft has released a new version of its Windows Mobile software for handhelds and smartphones, with improvements including better com- patibility with Office applications on PCs. The new platform also allows more customisation and supports a wider range of device formats, Microsoft said.

Windows Mobile 5.0 is available now, but devices running the new code are not expected until later this year. T-Mobile and Orange may ship new handsets as early as this summer, according to Microsoft. HP and Dell said they will offer upgrades for selected handhelds, typically newer models such as Dell's Axim X50 family.

"We have spent a lot of time asking device makers, operators, IT professionals, developers and users what they need, and Windows Mobile 5.0 is designed to address [their requirements]," said David Hooper, Microsoft's enterprise marketing manager for mobile devices.

The focus is on usability, productivity, and multimedia, according to Hooper. For example, the pocket versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint have been replaced with more capable versions, collectively named Office Mobile, that keep the formatting of Office documents on Windows PCs.

"This improves 'round tripping', when you edit a document from a colleague then email it back to them," Hooper said. Excel Mobile can create charts, and PowerPoint Mobile can now open desktop .ppt files.

Internet Explorer has been upgraded to support more standards and scripting, and it can view pages in single-column, full-screen or zoom modes. "We made it more intelligent - it can dynamically re-format content as necessary," said product manager Marie Thirlwall.

Other enhancements include persistent storage to prevent data loss if the batteries run flat, and support for hard disks.

Windows Mobile 5.0 is also 3G-enabled, and Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones will be released in the near future, Microsoft said.

Despite early rumours regarding push email support for firms with Exchange 2003 groupware servers, this is not currently supported in Windows Mobile 5.0. "People do like the idea of the push email scenario, but that's something we're considering for the future," said Hooper.