Microsoft on Monday launched a new version of MSN Mobile, its portal offering for smart phone users. The new MSN Mobile has been completely redesigned to better accommodate the screens and features of modern mobile devices, and features access to Microsoft's online services, including Windows Live offerings like Hotmail, Messenger, Spaces, and Live Search as well as MSN offerings like MSN Money and MSN Entertainment.
The potential market for this portal, which initially ships without advertising, is huge: Microsoft says there are 230 million mobile subscribers in the US, 180 million of which use Web-enabled phones. That's not bad, considering there are 300 million people in the US, suggesting that virtually every non-child in the US has a mobile phone.
The new MSN Mobile features simpler navigation that's designed for the small screens on mobile phones, familiar services like MSNBC news and FOX Sports, and a wide array of Windows Live and MSN services. MSN Mobile is available now in the US on Windows Mobile devices, of course, but also any mobile phone that supports Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 1.2 or greater. International releases are forthcoming, Microsoft says.
