It's not all about smartphones: this J2ME app will optimise web apps for lower-spec handsets.
Microsoft is setting its sights on emerging markets with a new application called OneApp. It's a Java application for feature phones letting people access Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger and other web services.
OneApp will launch with partners around the world, kicking off in South Africa with Blue Label Telecoms' mibli service.
Users install the 150KB client app on their phones, while the bulk of the processing is crunched on a server elsewhere.
Individual apps for it are only 30KB in size. The slimline client is designed to work over slower GPRS and EDGE networks, rather than requiring 3G.
Other widgets offered include news, weather and stocks information, contacts backup, a mobile wallet, an RSS reader and even games.
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"When people see these apps running on a feature phone, their eyes light up," says Tim McDonough, Microsoft's senior director of mobile product management.
Microsoft wants to get developers writing their own apps for OneApp too, and plans to release a Software Development Kit by the end of this year.
"Developers can dive into specific needs of users in different places, where there can be remarkable diversity of what people want to do with their phones," says McDonough.
"What might be relevant to India may not be so relevant to China or South Africa."
OneApp will bring Microsoft into competition with Nokia, which is developing its own applications for more basic handsets in emerging markets.
Meanwhile, OneApp has competition for operators' business from products like Synchronica's Mobile Gateway, which has expanded beyond email into social networking.
Microsoft has launched a OneApp website to give more information on its new product.
