Coming soon: Microsoft 'push' e-mail

Microsoft Corp. released a new version of its Windows operating system for

mobile phones and other small devices yesterday, citing improved reliability

and new features that it hopes will boost its presence on handheld gadgets.

But the company said users of the latest Windows Mobile software will have to

wait a while longer for one of the most popular mobile features -- the type of

instantaneous e-mail that has driven growth of rival Research in Motion Inc.'s

BlackBerry devices.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates told software developers at a conference in Las

Vegas yesterday that his company is working on the technology, commonly

known as "push" e-mail. The feature gives users the ability to send and

receive messages in a matter of seconds, rather than waiting for a device to

synchronize at longer intervals.

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