Microsoft and i-mate Celebrate Accelerated Growth of the Windows Mobile
44 percent Year on Year Growth Rate of Worldwide Total Smart Mobile Device Market
11 May 2005 Dubai, UAE – Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, met with Jim Morrison, Founder and CEO of i-mate, the worldwide leader of Windows Mobile powered handsets and wireless solutions. Talks were held amid the backdrop of a marked growth in the uptake the Windows Mobile operating system. In Q1 2004, Windows Mobile devices accounted for an 18.3 percent share of the worldwide smart mobile device market; that figure rose to 23.1 percent in Q1 of 2005 marking 44 percent growth. I-mate solutions run exclusively on the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform.

The relationship with Microsoft extends back to the inception of i-mate in 2001 when the company launched its first smartphone. Today, the handset developer has a range of smartphones and PDAs as well as a unique offering of customizable end-to-end solutions and on-line technical support.

"The ubiquity of the Microsoft Windowsplatform in the business arena made it the obvious choice for a wireless workplace communications solution. While working closely with Microsoft developing and building the technology behind i-mate, we decided to take advantage of the ease of use of the Windows Mobile platform to create products that suited both business and personal needs of the end user," said Morrison.

"i-mate's partnership with Microsoft® has grown from strength to strength, particularly in the Middle East region. With increasing market demands we look forward to further developments in our partnership with i-mate." commented Abdullatif Almulla, General Manager, Microsoft South Gulf.

Morrison and Ballmer were in Dubai, operational headquarters of i-mate, for the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum – Arabia. i-mate will also be sponsoring the upcoming Microsoft Windows Mobile and Embedded Developers Conference being held in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 10-12. i-mate established itself in North America with the launch of its San Diego operations at the CTIA Wireless show in March 2005.