Neowin first broke the news that Microsoft would be offering up a starter edition of its software for mobile phones, as time has passed, a few more bits of details have begun to emerge about what the Starter Edition will truly offer.
Named Windows Mobile Starter Edition, the software will be targeted at OEMs building devices for new and emerging markets. Based on Windows Mobile 6, Starter Edition will come in two versions, one with Office Mobile and one without. Windows Mobile Starter Edition will also support 2G (GSM), 2.5G (EDGE, GPRS) and CDMA (Rev A, EV-DO Revision A) or TD-SCDMA. It"s not yet clear whether 3G (GSM) will be supported.
ZDNet"s Mary Jo Foley was able to obtain a few more details from a Microsoft spokesperson who shed a little more light on what consumers can expect from the platform.
“Q: Is Mobile Starter available to phone makers via Bsqure only? Or also direct from Microsoft?
A: The Windows Phone 6 Starter Edition SKU is available to all direct partners. It is also available via MediaTek and BSquare.
Q: Which version of Office Mobile is part of one of the two Starter SKUs?
A: The current version of Office Mobile will ship in Windows Phone 6 Starter Edition. Office Mobile 2010 is currently available in beta form for Windows Phone 6.5. When Office Mobile 2010 ships, it will be made available to OEMs and distributors.
Q: Is this a stripped-down version of Windows Mobile 6.5? What’s not there that’s in the full fledged version?
A: The Windows Phone 6 Starter Edition SKU is offered in multi-language versions with and without Microsoft Office Mobile and supports 2G (GSM), 2.5G (CDMA2000 xRTT, EDGE, GPRS), CDMA (Rev A, EV-DO Revision A), and TD-SCDMA radios.
Q: Have any phone makers signed up yet as customers?
A: Yes. OEMs will be launching products built on Windows Phone 6 Starter Edition this year.”
While mostly providing more details to ideas that were currently circulating, it does confirm that this platform will launch this year along side Windows Phone Series 7.
For more QnA answers check out Mary Jo"s post.