Microsoft Releases Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2000 — Today at the 11th annual Embedded Systems Conference (ESC), the world’s largest exhibition of embedded products and services, Microsoft Corp. announced the release of the Microsoft® Windows® CE 3.0 Add-On Pack. The Add-On Pack adds new operating system components to the rich set of technology building blocks already available in the Windows CE 3.0 operating system. The Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack provides embedded developers not only with new networking and communication technologies, but also more advanced system analysis tools and new extensibility software development kits (SDKs), enabling quick and easy development of a wide range of rich 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices. In addition, the Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack includes support for XML, marking the first step toward enabling the Microsoft .NET Platform for devices.

These new operating system components and tools will be integrated directly into Platform Builder 3.0, the development tool that is used to create a Windows CE operating system image, and are available at no charge to current Platform Builder 3.0 customers. Because of the highly componentized architecture of Windows CE 3.0, developers can immediately utilize the new components and tools in their new or existing designs.

“Microsoft is committed to delivering the richest set of technology building blocks to embedded developers,” said Bill Veghte, vice president of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. “The Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack is another example of how we are continuing to expand the breadth of technologies that developers have to choose from when building rich 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich adaptive applications and services. With the Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack, developers now will be able to choose from a broader array of networking options and multimedia capabilities to enable the best Internet-enabled appliances on the market.”

New Operating System Components

The Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack adds to the more than 200 operating system components and modules available to developers for Windows CE 3.0. New components include the following:

  • The XML Parser implements an interface that allows for convenient validating, parsing and modifying of XML data.

  • Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) enables a Windows CE-based device to share its Internet connection among one or more devices running on the same network.

  • Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) enables remote users to access corporate networks securely across the Internet.

  • Crypto API 2.0 provides enhanced security through certificate-based functionality and support for smart cards.

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 5.0 enables footprint-sensitive Windows CE 3.0-based devices, such as Windows-based terminals, to access the Windows line of business applications running on a Windows 2000-based terminal server.

“By adding these new technologies into Platform Builder 3.0, Microsoft is making it easier for Wyse to expand the development of our Winterm thin clients to meet the growing needs of our customers,” said Jeff McNaught, vice president of customer marketing at Wyse Technology Inc. “RDP 5.0 is a key technology that plays a crucial role in helping our Winterm Windows-based terminals work seamlessly with Windows 2000 terminal server, and with the integration of RDP 5.0 into Platform Builder 3.0, we can now explore the option of delivering new types of embedded thin-client devices.”

New System Analysis Tools

The Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack provides new system analysis tools for Platform Builder 3.0, further enabling embedded developers to quickly debug and deliver Windows Powered devices to market. These new tools include the Kernel Tracker, which graphically displays the kernel’s processes, threads and system events, helping developers fine-tune their operating system image and maximize their embedded design’s performance. The Add-On Pack also brings additional system analysis tools, including the Remote System Information and Remote Performance Monitor, which are similar to those found in other Microsoft operating systems.

In addition, the Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack includes Hardware Assist and Remote Tools SDKs that enable partners to directly integrate third-party development tools into Platform Builder. With these new SDKs, third parties can snap in an even broader range of tools and technologies that easily integrate into the Platform Builder 3.0 Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

“Because of the Platform Builder 3.0 extensibility model, it was easy to directly integrate a wide range of hardware-debug features into the IDE,” said Kevin Jagla, marketing manager at Microtek International Inc. “With the availability of the Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack, which includes the new Hardware Assist SDK, we were able to seamlessly integrate our PowerPack family of x86 emulators into the single IDE and reduce development time, which enables our customers to quickly deliver Windows Powered solutions to market.”

Pricing and Availability

The Windows CE 3.0 Add-On Pack will be shipped directly to all current Platform Builder 3.0 customers at no cost. It also will be integrated into Platform Builder 3.0, which can be ordered through Microsoft Authorized Distributors at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ or through the Microsoft Developer Store at http://www.developerstore.com/ . In addition, developers can obtain an evaluation copy of Platform Builder 3.0 that will include these new components and tools.

About the Microsoft Windows Embedded Family

The Microsoft Windows Embedded family of operating systems and tools provides comprehensive software platforms for building the next generation of intelligent, 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich applications and Internet services for a wide range of flexible solutions. In addition, Microsoft provides the wide range of programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of Windows Embedded customers, partners and developers. The Windows Embedded family includes the Windows CE 3.0 and Windows NT® Embedded 4.0 operating systems.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” ) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software– any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

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