In a continued push to the mobile devices market, Microsoft announced today the release of MSN Mobile 4.0. The service is designed to work in conjunction with mobile communication devices, offering access to MSN Hotmail, as well as MSN Messenger in many popular wireless formats including SMS. This newest incarnation of the MSN Mobile service promises more customization and better functionally along with the added features.

"With this update to MSN Mobile, we are extending our capabilities to offer mobile operators an immediate opportunity to generate revenue based on two-way SMS, providing MSN Hotmail and MSN Messenger to consumers," said Vinay Kumar, Director of MSN Wireless Services at Microsoft. "Our popular communications services gives us a strategic advantage over our competitors."

MSN Mobile 4.0 users will be able to customize alerts and content, with most features accessible by means of the MSN Mobile Web site. Certain offerings such as Hotmail can be accessed from the mobile browser, or via SMS.

Currently, MSN Mobile has distribution relationships with Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, Nextel, Motorola, and Arch Wireless in the United States; and Bell Mobility, TELUS, and Rogers Wireless in Canada. MSN Mobile notification and interactive services should be available on any device that accepts text messages, including pagers, mobile phones, Pocket PCs and other handheld PDAs.