CANNES, France - Flextronics and Microsoft Corp. have codeveloped a GSM/GPRS mobile phone platform based on Windows Mobile software. The companies announced the new software today at the 16th annual 3GSM World Congress.

Called Peabody, the new platform offers OEMs access to more than 18,000 applications for product line customization. Applications include messaging, music, video, pictures and gaming.

"As mobile phones become increasingly customized consumer products, OEMs are under pressure to produce low-cost, feature-rich phones that address the demands of this growing market," said Tom Deitrich, vice president of ODM Products, Flextronics.

Flextronics also announced that it is developing a product family of devices based on next-generation Windows Mobile software for deployment on GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks.