Microsoft's Push E-MailMicrosoft's Push E-Mail

Microsoft is going after the popular BlackBerry mobile E-mail device with its Messaging and Security Features Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0. The software being introduced this week will be incorporated into handheld devices starting this fall.

The features pack is built around what Microsoft calls "direct push technology," designed to push E-mail from Outlook to a Windows-based mobile device. There's a direct connection between Exchange Server 2003 and the device, which means businesses can bypass the additional servers and middleware other "push" E-mail services require. It also handles rich files such as Word, Excel, music, and video.

Yankee Group analyst John Jackson says Windows Mobile 5.0 "offers better usability and performance, wireless support, and flexibility" than the previous version.