Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer told an industry event on Wednesday that the company will be speeding up development of the Windows Mobile platform in apparent response to pressure from rivals.

Microsoft

A report quoted Ballmer as saying that "there are opportunities for us to accelerate our execution in this area".

"We've done a lot of work to make sure we have a team that will be able to accelerate it," Ballmer said.

The company has announced the release of a new Windows Mobile platform later this year.

The announcement made Windows Mobile fans happy as rivals Apple and RIM lord it over in the US market, and in the face of comebacking Palm Inc. with its webOS platform and Pre smartphone, slated for release by mid-2009.

According to the report, Ballmer also said Microsoft is now working hard to simplify its software licensing terms across the board.

[Via ComputerWorld]