Microsoft Opens Live Anywhere For Mobiles News
Chris Leyton
18/05/2006
Microsoft wants Live Anywhere on all mobile phone platforms and not just those supporting Windows Mobile...
After unveiling the vision behind "Live Anywhere", a service that unites Microsoft's online strategy across the Xbox, PC and Mobile brands, TVG learnt in a discussion during E3 of Microsoft's intention to open up the service beyond Windows Mobile users.
A system designed to bring together users of all three platforms, Live Anywhere is an evolutionary service that has already commenced with the recent 360 upgrade and extra message functionality at xbox.com. Opening up cross-platform play between the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista PC in titles such as Shadowrun, along with further avenues such as designing decals on the PC and checking out your stats on the mobile in Forza 2, or queuing up downloads from The Marketplace whilst you're away from the Xbox 360.
One possible handicap surrounds the relatively low take-up of Windows Mobile smartphones; however, a Microsoft representative recently pointed out to TVG their plans to open up the service to other mobile phone manufacturers. Confirming that the Seattle giant is currently in discussions with such companies across the globe, whether or not we'll see Live Anywhere actually becoming a reality on phones without Windows Mobile seems to be the key factor in Microsoft's new strategy taking off or grounded in curiosity for a small few.