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Users of portable devices equipped with the Microsoft mobile operating system have been pleased with it.

A survey by leading mobile download provider Handango showed Windows Mobile users were tops in brand loyalty and device satisfaction.

Early results of the survey taken at the Mobile and Embedded Developer Conference in Las Vegas found devices in the Dell Axim family rated highest, with 59 percent of owners rating it Excellent while another 37% rated it Good.

"Our customer survey data shows how pleased Windows Mobile customers are with their mobile device experiences, and the role that third-party software plays in strengthening brand loyalty and reducing churn," said Randy Eisenman, president and chief executive officer of Handango.

Users of Windows Mobile will have a new version, 5.0, available soon with new features like enhanced releases of Word and Excel, and a new version of PowerPoint. Dell plans to offer owners of its Axim X50 the opportunity to purchase the upgrade in the third quarter of this year.

Bill Gates introduced the new OS during his keynote address at the conference. Among other features, Mr. Gates discussed Microsoft's widely-used e-mail program on the portable OS.

"Outlook is the centerpiece of that and, in fact, we'll show you some neat things with Outlook connecting up, for example, the ability to take a photo on the phone, associate that with a contact and then not just on the phone but also after you've synched on the PC as well, having that photo there for a very visual interface," said Mr. Gates.

Hat tip to Amber Weyer at Weber Shandwick for her help with this story.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.