Microsoft and TI in mobile technology alliance

NEWS Microsoft and Texas Instruments are working together on technology which they hope will be incorporated into the next generation of mobile handsets and PDAs. The two companies claim the alliance will enable wireless equipment manufacturers to deliver high-quality 2.5G smartphone devices with their new 'reference package' - Microsoft's Smartphone 2002 software running on OMAP, TI's processor and GPRS technology. Microsoft and Texas Instruments will officially announce their combination package at the 3GSM World Congress 2002 in Cannes later today. Ben Waldman, vice president of the mobile devices division at Microsoft, said in a statement: "This advanced reference design showcases the strengths of Smartphone 2002 and the performance of TI's complete wireless silicon and software solutions by making them available in a powerful, ready-to-manufacture platform that enables small, lightweight smart phones of approximately 110 cubic centimetres and 100 grammes."