Steve Ballmer on enhancing the mobile experience

CTIA Semi-Annual Wireless Industry Survey

CTIA released its newest Industry Survey this morning, and Steve Largent highlighted some of the key stats:

-there are 243 million wireless subscribers in the US, which amounts to 81% of the population

-there were 28.8 billion SMS messages sent in June of 2007

-an average of 1 billion SMS messages are sent per day

Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008

 But we all know that wireless is about more than texting.  As Steve Ballmer discussed, its about developing ways to enhance your life- both work and personal- on the go.  Microsoft has been at the forefront of taking the desktop mobile, and as Steve said, "in many countries, the phone will be the PC." 

Steve's announcement of the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 will help cell phones be managed more similarly PC's.  It will work with upcoming Windows Mobile devices, and will offer device management, critical security management, and mobile VPN. 

Mobile Lifestyle

But consumers want more than business functions on their devices- they want new ways to communicate with friends and colleagues, share media, and find what they need.  With enhanced mobile messaging, speedy search abilities, photo upload capabilities, and location-based search, Steve also demonstrated some of the ways that Windows Moble enhances the personal experience.