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% share of the worldwide smart mobile device market; that figure rose to 23.1% in Q1 of 2005 marking 44% 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 Windows™ platform 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™ & 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.
