Windows Mobile opened up to PC developers

Microsoft is expected to announce Monday that its Mobility Partner Advisory Council will be more tightly aligned with its Microsoft Partner Program. The move should make it easier for the pool of more than 800,000 programmers to become certified to create applications for the handheld OS.

The company also plans to mark the second anniversary of its Mobility Partner Advisory Council, which helps members team up and sell solutions to customers. One example of an MPAC collaboration was a $40 million deal announced in January, in which Microsoft and Cap Gemini Ernest & Young sold a package to health insurer WellPoint. The technologies used in the package were meant to help almost 19,000 doctors to improve patient care, reduce administrative costs and improve communications between doctors and patients.