Microsoft rolls out Windows Phones with Marketplace & My Phone

Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer speaks at a press conference during the 2009 Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Feb. 16, 2009.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, along with key mobile partners, HTC, LG and Orange, unveiled new Windows phones featuring new user-friendly software and services on Monday.

At the Mobile World Congress in Spain, Ballmer said the new Windows phones will be powered by the new Windows Mobile 6.5. Microsoft does not plan on releasing Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrades or devices until the second half of 2009.

Windows phones will feature two new services: My Phone, to sync text messages, photos, video, contacts and more to the Web.

Contacts are backed up with My Phone so users don’t have to worry about losing contacts.

The phones will also have Windows Marketplace for Mobile, a new marketplace that will provide direct-to-phone mobile applications and can be accessed from both the phone and the Web.

My Phone allow users to view and manage photos on their phone on the Web.