Microsoft introduced new software for mobile phones on Tuesday, promising a range of devices to compete with Apple Inc's iPhone and Research in Motion's BlackBerry.
The world's largest software company, in partnership with phone makers and phone companies such as Samsung Electronics, AT&T Inc and Vodafone said more than 30 new devices with the new Windows Mobile 6.5 software would be on the market in more than 20 countries by the end of the year.
The new phones can play music, open Word and Excel documents, and be synchronized over the Internet. But some analysts worry that the new software is not enough of a leap to keep up with rivals.
The market for phones is set to treble or quadruple in the next few years, and Microsoft is ready to challenge other phone makers for market share.
