At the launching of the new Windows-based Treo, Sorgen expressed optimism that the Windows Mobile 5 platform will continue to grow. During Microsoft's 2006 fiscal year, Sorgen said the software giant shipped six million Windows Mobile-connected devices worldwide.

IDC's Chan said that while Windows Mobile adoption worldwide has picked up, the North American market has 'taken a little longer to ramp up.'

He attributed this to limited availability of products running Windows Mobile OS.

'Canadian carriers have been a little slower in bringing these devices to market,' said Chan.