BARCELONA, Spain, February 11 /PRNewswire/ --

- Launches Windows Live @mobile, a scalable deployment programme for
mobile operators.

Today at Mobile World Congress 2008, Microsoft Corp announced that it is
releasing a new version of its Windows Live Mobile Developer Program,
enabling developers to create mobile versions of its popular Windows Live
services that can be built for virtually any mobile phone independent of
phone operating system. Microsoft also announced Windows Live @mobile, a new
programme that allows operators to adopt and deploy Windows Live services.
These two initiatives will enable Microsoft's developer community to deliver
compelling Windows Live services and provide flexibility to access the
Windows Live platform to innovate on top of those services. In addition,
mobile operators can connect their customers to Windows Live, one of the
largest communications and sharing networks in the world, create additional
revenue opportunities and enhance the customer experience.

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Windows Live Mobile Developer Program

These latest updates to the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program include
new features to Microsoft's Mobile Services Protocol and a new software
development kit (SDK), enabling developers to create mobile versions of
Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces that can
work on any phone operating system. These updates give developers the
capability to create applications with an exceptional user experience and
more advanced functionality, all built on a WS(asterisk)-compliant protocol.

Microsoft launched the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program more than
two years ago. Today, over 70 independent software vendor partners are
building applications that work on more than 800 devices equipped to support
Windows Live for Mobile. Recently Nokia, with its Series 60 platform, adopted
the Mobile Services Protocol to offer new capabilities to its mobile phone
offering, including the ability to share media files within an instant
messaging conversation and e-mail, integrated access to users' Windows Live
Contacts and phone address book, and one-click file photo upload to users'
Windows Live Spaces.

"Our relationships with operators and developers are key to our strategy.
By providing developers with access to these platforms, we are enabling
operators to provide access to Windows Live services for their customers and
make money as well," said Matt Champagne, director, Product Management,
Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. "Our Windows Live @mobile
programme is all about enabling operators to deploy our services as quickly
as possible by providing standard ways to launch our services."

Windows Live @mobile

Microsoft is also announcing the availability of Windows Live @mobile, a
programme that enables mobile operators to deploy a set of standard Microsoft
mobile services such as Windows Live for Mobile and MSN Mobile to their
customers quickly and efficiently. These standard deals support different
business models, providing operators with several choices, including
subscriptions, transactions or advertising so they fit with their existing
business or new business ideas. Operators can choose to deploy browser-based
services that work on nearly any phone with a data plan or with any of the
certified third-party clients developed by Microsoft partners.

Currently, @mobile is available in 46 countries and is expanding to
additional markets in the next year. Additional information on both Windows
Live @mobile and the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program can be found at
http://msnmobile.members.winisp.net.

About MSN and Windows Live

MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With
localised versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is
a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to
consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.
Windows Live, a comprehensive set of personal Internet services and software,
is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information
and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security
features across their PC, devices and the web. MSN and Windows Live will be
offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live
services entered an early beta phase on 1 Nov, 2005; these and future beta
updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at
http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the web at http://www.msn.com. MSN
worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise
their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products
and services in more than 139 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com