LocutusBorgMan

I found this using google on "Crossbow" AND "AKU 2.0".

Seems like Crossbow, which is supposedly a second edition of WM5.0 like WM2003SE was to WM2003 is slated for a Q4'06 release with a Q1/Q2 '07 marketing launch. I have read in other reports that it was suppose to be released in 1H'06. As I don't see any dates on the link, I don't know if the release date has been pushed back.

Photon, which is suppose to be the next big mobile OS upgrade, it seems will not be until late 2007 and marketed in Q1/Q2'08.


“Photon” (Q4 ‘07)

New, Flexible Shell
Modular Containers
“Yamazaki” CE kernel
Q1/Q2 ’08 Marketing Launch


“Crossbow” (Q4 ‘06)

Great mobile messaging
Advanced Business and Enterprise propositions
Strengthened phone experience
Faster, easier application development and distribution
Q1/Q2 ‘07 Marketing Launch

LocutusBorgMan

Actually, looking at the powerpoint presentation, it was from Microsoft Tech Days '06 held March 23 to 26, 2006 in Switzerland, so the information should be current.

LocutusBorgMan

More excerpts from the presentation:

AKU 2.0/MSFP: In addition to our major releases, we have also adjusted the schedule for AKU 2.0 and MSFP.
We have high expectations for the release of Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.0 and have received considerable, positive, internal and external feedback on our plans for this release. AKU 2.0 will deliver MSFP which in combination with Exchange Server Service Pack 2 (SP2), provides an enhanced end user messaging experience, better performance, and several key device management capabilities when deploying a mobile messaging solution. The final release of AKU 2.0 is now projected for November 4, 2005. A release candidate is projected to be available on October 14, 2005 to OEMs.

Crossbow Wave: As devices and upgrades featuring Windows Mobileä 5.0 Adaptation Kit Update 2.0 (AKU 2.0) with the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) become widely available in 1HCY06, a Crossbow release in that same time period decreases Microsoft’s, OEMs’, and mobile operators’ ability to realize the investment made in devices based on AKU 2.0 with MSFP. Under this consideration, we plan to make Crossbow available to OEMs in Q4 2006, to start the commercialization process. This provides an opportunity for OEMs and Microsoft to market and sell MSFP devices for the majority of the 2006 calendar year, including the Holiday season.

Photon Wave: Photon is a very strategic release for Microsoft. The vision of a unified platform, modular architecture, and a customizable user interface are all focused on enabling our OEMs to deliver a wider range of differentiated products to meet the unique needs of target market segments. As we considered the scope of the Photon release, the Crossbow schedule and goal of the long term roadmap, it was clear that adjusting the Photon schedule was also necessary. We, therefore, plan to make Photon available to OEMs in Q4 2007, to start the commercialization process. This adjustment should help enable OEMs to ship Crossbow devices throughout 2007 and provide necessary time to commercialize Photon devices for a 2008 release. This adjustment should also help enable us to base Photon on the next major release of Windowsâ CE (“Yamazaki”). “Yamazaki” will provide an improved kernel, a new security model, and a number of other enhanced features.


It seems OEM mfg have had AKU since the end of October 2005. I am wondering why Dell has not implemented it in the axim line.

OK, I think this deserves to be Front Page content. I put it up for nomination. :)

Garyos

Microsoft Developing Next Mobile OS: Crossbow

Successor to Windows Mobile 5.0 will feature built-in IM, strong links with Office 2007.

Crossbow will have strong links with Office 2007 and Exchange 12, Microsoft's pending new office application suite and e-mail server, said Pieter Knook, senior vice president for the mobile devices and telecoms sector. Crossbow would be the successor to Windows Mobile 5.0, released in May 2005.
Crossbow will take aim at the Symbian and BlackBerry operating systems. The OS will contain a new mobile version of Office Communicator, an Office 2007 enterprise communications application, that includes instant messaging on public and private networks, Knook said.
"As the Office [2007] PC versions of those applications improve, we're tracking that on the Windows Mobile side," Knook said.
Coming Soon?
Knook said it's premature to say when Crossbow would be released, but that the company plans for an annual mobile OS release. Mobile operating systems are also complex since operators often must be tested to ensure their systems can work with a new OS, a six- to 12-month delay after a release, Knook said.
That process is nearly complete for the push e-mail capability of Windows Mobile 5.0, Microsoft's slow assault against BlackBerry e-mail that may now start to bear fruit. The company's new push e-mail capability depended on software upgrades on the telecom operators' side, as well as new versions of Exchange Server 2003 and Windows Mobile 5.0.
Those upgrades are nearly complete, Knook said. "You're getting to the point right now where this quarter is really where the whole offer comes together," he said.
Microsoft is hoping to nudge BlackBerry aside on costs and convenience for administrators. Knook estimates an enterprise deploying mobile e-mail with 20,000 users could save $1.5 million in software purchases alone, plus additional costs on licensing over BlackBerry, he said.
Microsoft is counting on strong connections with device manufacturers to strengthen its position with those enterprises already using Exchange but with a BlackBerry server. The new push e-mail feature would enable those companies to eliminate the BlackBerry middleware, which also consolidates their support structure, Knook said.

Via PCWorld

kulnet

Yeah, I read about this over on Geek earlier this morning. Sounds interesting...

paladaxar

Closely associated with Office 2007, eh? That is, if anyone even buys office 07. With AJAX taking over the web, we may not need desktop apps 6 months or a year from now. Pretty soon, we may need nothing more than a good browser...oh, and world wide wi-fi :-D

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zulee

Great to see that MS is a full year behind the just released Symbian 9.1. I now know what my new device will be.