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View Full Version : Pocket MSN Details Revealed


Jason Dunn
08-28-2003, 03:12 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/mobileoperators/pocketmsn.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/servicepro...s/pocketmsn.asp</a><br /><br /></div>Ever wondered what that "Pocket MSN" icon was on your Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC? Well, Microsoft has started to release information about the service by targeting Microsoft Service Providers.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/PocketMSN.jpg" /><br /> <br />"Pocket MSN® is a new, rich, client-based subscription solution. Delivered as a subscription service with MSN mobile operator partners, Pocket MSN will give your Pocket PC and Smartphone users instant, one-click access to core MSN services, including MSN Hotmail®, MSN Messenger, MSN Alerts, and MSN browse content (where available). Designed for seamless integration into the existing Pocket PC and Smartphone applications, Pocket MSN offers users a familiar and consistent experience. In addition, the service enables true mobile data scenarios by providing both always-on functionality and offline mobile functionality."<br /><br />The primary features of Pocket MSN appear to be as follows:<br /><br />• "Always-on functionality so users are connected, signed on, and available to their online contacts, without requiring a continuous network connection. <br />• Ability to communicate with online contacts on MSN Messenger regardless of device (PC, phone, Pocket PC). <br />• Real-time updates of Hotmail messages and MSN Alerts. <br />• Offline Hotmail capabilities so users can compose e-mail in a non-connected state. <br />• Personalization features that give users rules-based sync with Hotmail filters and message download options. <br />• Ability to seamlessly send Hotmail messages to offline MSN Messenger contacts. <br />• Quick, one-click access to MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger contacts, and MSN information resources from the device Today screen."<br /><br />I've heard a rumour they're going to price it out at $24.95 per year - not bad, but I'm not sure I'm their target audience. If you're hardcore Hotmail user, the offline message composition might be invaluable, but none of the other features seem to really jump out at me. What do you think about the services listed so far?

Prevost
08-28-2003, 04:37 AM
The primary features of Pocket MSN appear to be as follows:

• "Always-on functionality so users are connected, signed on, and available to their online contacts, without requiring a continuous network connection.
• Ability to communicate with online contacts on MSN Messenger regardless of device (PC, phone, Pocket PC).
• Real-time updates of Hotmail messages and MSN Alerts.
• Offline Hotmail capabilities so users can compose e-mail in a non-connected state.
• Personalization features that give users rules-based sync with Hotmail filters and message download options.
• Ability to seamlessly send Hotmail messages to offline MSN Messenger contacts.
• Quick, one-click access to MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger contacts, and MSN information resources from the device Today screen."

I've heard a rumour they're going to price it out at $24.95 per year - not bad, but I'm not sure I'm their target audience. If you're hardcore Hotmail user, the offline message composition might be invaluable, but none of the other features seem to really jump out at me. What do you think about the services listed so far?I wonder, and please excuse my ignorance, how can you have "always-on functionality" in a handheld? Do you need to be connected to the WWW via a modem equipped cell phone or something alike?

Concerning your question, I would be very interested in this kind of service, given I can use it bypassing our local cell phone providers... :mrgreen: very expensive services!!!:evil:
It would be great to receive updated building plans right into the handheld while in the field via email . I even think that if this is to give the ability to chat from the handheld, it would be a killer herearound since this will cut communication costs with designers sitting in front of their desktop workstations.

Jason Dunn
08-28-2003, 05:19 AM
I wonder, and please excuse my ignorance, how can you have "always-on functionality" in a handheld? Do you need to be connected to the WWW via a modem equipped cell phone or something alike? Concerning your question, I would be very interested in this kind of service, given I can use it bypassing our local cell phone providers...

No, you'd still need to have an Internet connection via a modem, cell phone, etc. You'll still have to deal with those evil providers. :wink:

dean_shan
08-28-2003, 05:21 AM
Seems like a lot of money for what you can do for free. If you want hotmail get the pocket hotmail plug-in for inbox. You can get it off handango (sorry I don't have the link I'm on my ppc). Pocket Hotmail is only $5 for life.

JoshB
08-28-2003, 06:17 AM
Seems like a lot of money for what you can do for free. If you want hotmail get the pocket hotmail plug-in for inbox. You can get it off handango (sorry I don't have the link I'm on my ppc). Pocket Hotmail is only $5 for life.
Pocket Hotmail doesn't work with WM2003, and it doesn't work with T-Mobile GPRS (Phone Edition). Trust me. I've tried. An update is supposed to be on the way, but who knows when it will arrive...

I'm very much looking forward to Pocket MSN for the offline Hotmail capabilities. Rather than switching email addresses every time I switch providers, I've been using Hotmail as my permanent personal email address. Right now, with MSN alerts, I can get SMS notices on my T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition when I get a new message, but for some reason, the Hotmail section of MSN Mobile (designed for the PPC screen) doesn't work well at all under WM2003 (keeps getting "Session timeout" errors while signing in). So I don't even have web access to my Hotmail on my PPCPE.

I really hope they don't charge existing users of MSN or Hotmail Extra Storage. I paid for Extra Storage, and I'm getting MSN bundled with my new DSL connection from Verizon (my old provider went bankrupt - feels like 2001 all over again ;)). Hopefully I won't have to pay (again) for access to Pocket MSN.

Does anyone have any info on when this is going to be available? I'd like to get a hold of it as soon as possible. Hmmm... There's a deadline coming up in October when all MSN Messenger clients will have to upgrade to protocol version 6. Maybe this will be ready by then (or at least a new MSN Messenger client).

JoshB

humor
08-28-2003, 08:25 AM
I believe Pocket MSN uses SMS to give a "virtual always on" experience for PPCPE. If the MO supports it, it will trigger an MSN server sync whenever you get an SMS message (specially formatted by the pocket msn servers to trigger the event).

Pocket MSN also seems to be much better integrated experience for MSN Messenger…though you might not, kids go crazy for this stuff. It may allow "virtual always on" for MSN Messenger, though I am not that sure that will happen (in this first release).

This scenario is similar to Exchange 2003 (w/WM2003) server based activesync technology "always up to date". Ex2003 alerts the device through an SMS message to initiate a data call...only when you recieve a new mail (can be filtered by rules), appointment, contact, etc. This helps alleviates wasted bandwidth when no changes have occurred on the server, but you want near instant alerting.

Pretty cool stuff!!

Humor

rmasinag
08-28-2003, 07:29 PM
I think this is $10 too much. I'd subscribe at $15 and after the beta testers...err.... first users get done suffering and MS fixes those bugs

Trade Wind
08-28-2003, 11:03 PM
I really hope they don't charge existing users of MSN or Hotmail Extra Storage. I paid for Extra Storage, and I'm getting MSN bundled with my new DSL connection from Verizon (my old provider went bankrupt - feels like 2001 all over again ;)). Hopefully I won't have to pay (again) for access to Pocket MSN.

Does anyone have any info on when this is going to be available? I'd like to get a hold of it as soon as possible. Hmmm... There's a deadline coming up in October when all MSN Messenger clients will have to upgrade to protocol version 6. Maybe this will be ready by then (or at least a new MSN Messenger client).

Hey Josh,

This will be an add-on subscription for MSN Premium (MSNIA/MSN 8 BYOA) & MSN Extra Storage subscribers. MSN Extra Storage is for just that...Extra Storage. As for MSN Premium subscribers, not everyone would use MSN Mobile Plus Edition, or Pocket MSN. Keeping the price at $9.95/mo or $79.95/yr makes more sense than increasing it above that dreaded $10/mo threshold and adding mobile capabilities to the plan. $24.95/yr isn't bad at all if they end up sticking with that price...it comes out as ~$2/mo!

Since you are using MSN with Verizon DSL...if you are the account manager, you will get a storage boost to 25mb when MSN Premium comes out at no extra charge. (sub-accounts will get a boost to 10mb)

Trade Wind
08-28-2003, 11:04 PM
Oh...and in addition to what Humour stated...non PPCPE devices can use Pocket MSN over Wi-Fi.

townsendtribe
08-29-2003, 12:38 AM
Is it just me or is Microsoft getting you for subscription after subscription. I remember the fuss about when they gave Internet Explorer away, and how that devistated the then leader Netscape. It was huge. So they populate the majority of the computers in the world with IE. Then they release MSN Explorer for free... Ah, but then the catch. They make MSN Explorer 8, and they improve on it, but wait, now we like it and boom, it's $10 month just to use the MSN Explorer. Then all these subscription come out...

Don't get me wrong. I think Microsoft is awsome, and I love my Pocket PC and MSN. But now I pay a subscription for MSN8 even though I have broadband at home, I use MSN 8 for dial-up, plus the subscription to MSN Radio, now the up and coming subscription to MSN Mobile... wow, it makes my head spi just thinking about it. 8O

Trade Wind
08-29-2003, 06:06 AM
Like on Yahoo!, there will be a slew of different subscriptions that people can add. If you want them all, you'll have to pay.

MSN Explorer is still free to use, but MSN 8, MSN Plus, or MSN Premium are not.

I can remember the old AOL COO Bob Pittman saying back in 2000 that he expected AOL being able to push the ARPU per month up to $120 in a few years.

I think Microsoft's strategy of focusing on software & services rather than content per se is more apt to drive ARPU than AOL's.

How do you like MSN Radio Plus? I'm pro MSN...but I'm not gonna pay $30/yr for streamed radio content...even if it is high quality. I'll save my money for more worthwhile subscriptions like this seemingly killer mobile service in Pocket MSN. We'll see...

townsendtribe
08-29-2003, 06:38 AM
Actually... I cancelled the Radio Plus because it tore up my bandwidth... But the idea is that you can get sucked into so many subscriptions... You'll have renewal fees coming out your ears before you know it.

I am all for subscriptions, I think it's a great way to be a part of things. Take this site for example, best subscription I think I've made yet. But to pay money to microsoft annually to use a group of free services (Hotmail, MSN Messenger, MSN Calendar) bundled together? I mean, am I missing something? These are free services, right? Or even those of us who already pay for MSN... why should we have to pay more to use it on the Pocket PCs we love so much.

My point is, Microsoft could just jive us this app to make an already awesome handheld even better by including availability for their awesome free services, looking at their revenues, do they really need to make this a subscription app?

Trade Wind
09-03-2003, 07:52 AM
Hey townsendtribe,

I hear ya...I'm being very careful about what I really *need* when it comes to internet subscriptions. That said, I also understand the business perspective in MSN charging for this. If every Microsoft business gave away a lot more, they would ultimately be handicapped financially in future endeavors.

In this case, MSN has created their own protocols, their own killer software (wow!), and built out datacenters just for this mobile service. To operate all of that without revenue sounds crazy to put it midly...or just circa-2000. ;-)

PM me, townsendtribe... :)

[edited for spelling error]

OneAngryDwarf
12-10-2003, 04:11 AM
Where the heck is Pocket MSN... when u go to it on the Pocket PC it says that its coming soon... "Mark your calendar for this Fall, 2003"... Isn't it winter now?

tanalasta
12-10-2003, 05:59 AM
Yeah... the question i automatically pose to this thread is "Why???" I know i can access almost all msn services free just by logging onto the computer. Or opening up internet explorer (did you know hotmail works quite well on a mobile screen?) and connecting using gprs. It's certainly not gonna cost more than having it constantly online PLUS a subscription fee. Although you probably will get better service / functions (e.g. increased storage space) I'm more than happy using what i've got already for free!

And i love msn messenger... they better not start charging for it as a standalone product!

Vulcan
12-16-2003, 09:24 AM
I have to agree with several others.....Why would somebody pay the $25...Just seems like poor value for what you get. I also feel that we are getting $25 dollared to death.....Have you noticed how many times you are shelling out cash for little things that over time add up to a decent whack of cash....

zcmc1066
04-19-2004, 07:00 PM
It does not work with MSN personal address wich stinks

Kacey Green
04-20-2004, 07:36 PM
does anyone know more about this?