Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer used his keynote address at
the CEBIT show in Hanover to promote pervasive use of Windows and
Pocket PC to deliver wireless and Web services.
However, users can expect some interoperability problems if they
want to use anything else.
Nokia announced at CEBIT that more than 30 major suppliers had
signed up to its open mobile architecture initiative that aims to
ensure that technologies such as enhanced SMS services, high-speed
GPRS (general packet radio service), Java, and 3G work between any
mobile device.
Microsoft was not among the otherwise impressive list of suppliers.
When CW360.com asked Ballmer whether this implied a lack of
commitment to open standards, the Microsoft CEO said: "Sometimes it
makes sense to join such groups, sometimes it doesn't, and some get
invited at the start of such initiatives, yet some don't."
Whether Microsoft has been invited to join the alliance or not,
Ballmer confirmed that none of the mobile devices the company has
recently launched will automatically support Java-based
applications. All members of Nokia's interoperability initiative
see Java as key to delivering easily integrated mobile
applications.
Ballmer referred to the ongoing court case with Sun Microsystems,
which has accused Microsoft of damaging its business by not
including Java within Windows XP.
Ballmer said that if any user wanted Java on Microsoft products
they could go to third parties to provide them with a solution.
However many users clearly prefer a one-stop shop when considering
whether they should go down the wireless route.