Microsoft announced today that it has licensed Adobe's software for viewing online videos and other files (PDFs) on cell phones. Microsoft will distribute Flash Lite and Reader programs from Adobe to mobile hardware makers who use its Windows Mobile software; a compact operating system with a suite of basic apps for devices including Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers.

Flash content is widespread on the Web. Giving users the ability to interact with more Web sites will make the mobile Web a more attractive proposition for advertisers. In 2007, 11 million phones carried Windows Mobile, which the company expects to double in the next year.