http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce.net/Microsoft Releases Windows CE .NET 4.2 to Manufacturing

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce.net/

SAN FRANCISCO, April 23, 2003 — At the Embedded Systems Conference, Microsoft Corp., the worldwide leader in embedded operating systems, today announced the release to manufacturing of Microsoft Windows CE .NET version 4.2, previously code-named “McKendric.” Windows CE .NET 4.2 combines Microsoft’s most advanced real-time operating system with powerful tools for rapidly creating the next generation of smart, connected and small-footprint devices. Windows CE .NET 4.2 adds new features for creating innovative solutions in gateway, voice over IP (VoIP) and set-top box (STB) devices along with faster performance and greater application compatibility for the wide range of consumer and commercial embedded devices in which Windows CE is used today. In addition, Microsoft announced that more than 60 companies participated in the Microsoft early development programs for Windows CE .NET 4.2, providing valuable customer feedback and at the same time kick-starting their own delivery of a wide range of devices and solutions based on the new operating system.

“Windows CE .NET 4.2 provides customers with the desired technology for implementing sophisticated voice, video and data functionality for next-generation devices. Customers are already taking advantage of the new feature sets found in Windows CE .NET 4.2 as they prepare to deliver new gateway, voice over IP and set-top box solutions. The positive response from industry leaders to Windows CE .NET 4.2 demonstrates it is in lock step with the evolution of the embedded software industry,” said Todd Warren, general manager of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. “We’re very excited to see industry data rank us No. 1 in the embedded marketplace and will continue to improve our products and services along with our strong partner base to maintain this leadership position.”

Operating System Enhancements

Windows CE .NET 4.2 includes new features to create innovative solutions and deliver differentiated user experiences. These new features in Windows CE .NET 4.2 include the following:

  • Enhanced foundation. Improved security and kernel enhancements include a faster compression engine and flexible cache flushing. Windows CE .NET 4.2 also increases the number of lines of source code available in the box to over 2 million to assist developers with debugging and device bring up.

  • Innovative device solutions. New gateway, VoIP and STB features target the needs of device manufacturers to rapidly and effectively create compelling devices with communication, data and voice requirements. New features include support for Internet Protocol Firewall and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP), Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), and the Telephony User Interface, which provides a fully integrated and telephony-specific graphical user interface.

  • Enhanced multimedia and browsing. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can deliver rich, integrated browsing and multimedia with the inclusion of Internet Explorer 6 for Windows CE and Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series codecs that provide an instant-on, always-on, playback digital media experience for broadband users.

  • New applications and services. Developers will find improved ease of use and the ability to reduce time to market with new applications and services. The .NET Compact Framework enables rapid, managed code development for devices, leveraging the well-known desktop development tools. Windows CE .NET 4.2 also provides improved API compatibility across Windows CE-based devices, including the Pocket PC software platform.

  • Easy access to partner solutions. Windows CE .NET 4.2 also provides an additional CD containing 18 third-party solutions from eight Windows Embedded partners. These additional components include board support packages (BSPs), hardware-specific device drivers and profiling tools to offer additional, out-of-the-box software options for embedded developers. Developers can always visit the Hardware Design Center or the Windows Embedded Partner Marketplace for additional third-party solutions.

Windows CE Early Development Programs

More than 60 companies are participating in the Windows CE .NET 4.2 early development programs, including industry leaders such as HP, NEC Access Technica, NEC Infrontia, Toshiba TEC Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. The early development programs include the Joint Development Program (JDP) for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs), building devices on Windows CE .NET 4.2, and the Windows CE .NET ISV Early Adopter Program (EAP), building innovative software applications and middleware. These programs promote rapid adoption of the operating system by providing OEMs, ODMs and independent software vendors with early access to Windows CE .NET 4.2. In turn, Microsoft is able to design and develop a feature set based on direct customer feedback and industry needs. Through Microsoft’s early development programs, these companies will soon deliver a breadth of devices, designs and software applications to the market that enable and enhance such devices as mobile handhelds, gateways, set-top boxes, and VoIP devices and solutions.

No. 1 Embedded Operating System Provider Worldwide

The strong interest in Windows CE .NET as well as Windows XP Embedded by industry leaders has been instrumental in securing a No. 1 position for Windows Embedded products. According to Venture Development Corp., Microsoft led in worldwide shipments of embedded operating systems for 2002. “With the strong feature set included in Windows CE .NET 4.2, we expect Microsoft to reinforce its leadership position in the embedded operating systems marketplace,” said Chris Lanfear, manager of Embedded Software Research at Venture Development Corp. “Developers will find that the enhancements in Windows CE .NET 4.2 will provide a foundation for both releasing their creativity and meeting project timelines.”

For 2001, Microsoft led revenue for embedded operating systems according to International Data Corp. document 27653, Worldwide Mobile and Embedded Operating Environment Market Forecast and Analysis, 2002-2006. Further supporting Microsoft’s position in the embedded operating system industry, Fred Broussard, senior analyst at IDC, notes, “A key to success in the embedded marketplace is offering customers a strong solution suite, solutions that offer a robust product line that includes software development kits and licenses for cross-functional solutions. The new version, Windows CE .NET 4.2, specifically provides new tools, performance enhancements and features for VoIP, residential gateways and set-top boxes. With the addition of Windows CE .NET 4.2 to the Windows Embedded product family of Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded, Microsoft continues to build a strong position in the marketplace.”

Pricing and Availability

Windows CE .NET 4.2 evaluation kits will be available at Microsoft’s Embedded Systems Conference booth, No. 1002. Evaluation kits are also available for order at the Windows Embedded Web site. Pricing and retail availability dates will be announced shortly. More information can be found at the Windows Embedded Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/ce.net/default.aspx .

The Industry Speaks Out in Support of Windows CE .NET 4.2

“As a leading provider of innovative network communications products, AboCom’s latest Multimedia Residential Gateway benefits from Windows CE .NET 4.2. Delivering a reliable performance in a small footprint along with the latest networking and communications technologies, Windows CE .NET 4.2 provides enhanced features and technologies, including voice over IP (VoIP) phone and gateway configurations, platform development tool enhancements, the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 1.0, and expanded Board Support Packages (BSP). AboCom will continue to meet customer needs by delivering the latest in Windows CE .NET-based technologies.”

Andy Tsai
General Manager
Mobile InterConnected Products Division
AboCom Systems

“The power of Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2 exemplifies Microsoft’s investment in the embedded development community. Accelent Systems is pleased to enhance our development toolkit, leveraging the capabilities of this advanced software platform as a foundation for our embedded device community.”

Albert McCabe
Executive Vice President
Worldwide Sales and Marketing
Accelent Systems

“With the increased support for VoIP and built-in Residential Gateway features found in Microsoft Windows CE. NET 4.2, Advantech can now answer our customers’ needs in the growing e-home and building automation industries.”

Jeff Chen
Vice President of the Embedded Computing Group
Advantech

“Windows CE .NET 4.2 provides a rich, real-time operating system for the embedded space and gives developers an improved set of tools and latest networking and communication technologies for creating the next generation of connected and small-footprint devices. With the enhanced features of Windows CE .NET 4.2 in combination with the high performance and low power of the AMD Alchemy Solutions processor family, our customers will be able to quickly offer a variety of devices that are faster, have longer battery life, support an enhanced multimedia and Internet experience and a more secure and scalable networking infrastructure, and offer greater interoperability.”

Phil Pompa
Vice President of Marketing for the PCS group
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

“BSQUARE supports the powerful new features found in Windows CE .NET 4.2 across all of our major product lines. For example, our Power Handheld reference design showcases some of Microsoft’s most advanced capabilities, such as the Pocket Outlook Object Model. We just released Windows CE .NET 4.2-based development boards for AMD’s Alchemy family of processors. In addition, the next release of SmartBuild Device Solutions will support Microsoft DirectX for richer multimedia capabilities as well as standards-based USB OHCI drivers for enhanced connectivity.”

Bill Baxter
President and CEO
BSQUARE Corp.

“Windows CE .NET 4.2 provides Cirrus Logic’s family of embedded processors, including ARM7 and ARM9 products, with secure and scalable networking, faster performance, richer multimedia and Web browsing capabilities, and greater interoperability with PCs and servers. Consumer device manufacturers leveraging Cirrus leadership ARM products will find Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2 contributes enhancements for portable business computing devices, as well as for electronic entertainment products.”

Jean Anne Booth
Director of Marketing
Cirrus Logic

“With broadband-enabled services on an upward trajectory, ensuring the cohesive integration between residential gateways and a variety of consumer devices is critical. The Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2 platform, supported by semiconductor solutions such as our new home network processor, is a win-win solution for consumers and manufacturers alike.”

Chee Kwan
Vice President of Broadband Access Products
Conexant

“With the new features and functions in Windows CE .NET 4.2, along with the provided development resources from Microsoft, ICOP provides a complete application development environment where developers can create feature-rich, network-enabled, smart multimedia devices while in control of risk, cost and a targeted schedule. The options to develop applications using Assembly, C/C++, embedded Microsoft Visual C++, Visual Studio .NET, Visual Basic .NET and other languages allow developers to port much of their existing source-code library to work with Windows CE .NET easily. Combined, ICOP’s Vortex86 hardware and Windows CE .NET 4.2-based BSP and SDK help customers shorten their product development schedule.”

Samuel Phung
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
ICOP

“Intel aims to provide powerful technologies that will help enable a compelling user experience. Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2 coupled with Intel XScale technology based processors and Intel StrataFlash memory provides a unique combo of high-performance and low-power capabilities to customers developing phones, PDAs, Smart Displays, Personal Media Players, as well as communications applications such as voice over IP, residential and wireless gateways for the home, and small to medium businesses.”

Peter Green
General Manager of Extended Computing Division
Intel Corp.

“Marvell is pleased to be utilizing the network functionality found in Windows CE .NET 4.2 to supply network system solutions based on the Marvell Link Street 88E6318 secure gateway router device. Marvell’s Link Street device includes strong support for quality of service (QoS) and enhanced security IPsec processing by leveraging new Windows CE .NET 4.2 enhancements for QoS IP media and IP security services delivered to remote and home office networks.”

Bill Windsor
Director of Product Marketing for SOHO Networking Products
Marvell

“Motorola’s i.MX applications processor brings the best battery life, lowest cost and lowest complexity to devices operating with Windows CE .NET 4.2. We are pleased to partner with Microsoft to bring consumers a superior multimedia and Web-browsing experience.”

Pete Shinyeda
Corporate Vice President and General Manager
Wireless and Broadband Systems Group
Motorola

“Transmeta’s energy-efficient microprocessors are optimized for Windows CE .NET 4.2 and emerging applications such as Smart Displays. Transmeta’s unique capability to accomplish software MPEG2/4 and Windows Media Video 8/9 decode in a Smart Display form factor demonstrates the value of our LongRun power management technology and the exceptional performance characteristics of Transmeta’s microprocessors.”

Arthur L. Swift
Senior Vice President of Marketing
Transmeta Corp.

“With the PC world increasingly turning to embedded technologies to extend the computing platform into the home and office, it is vital that hardware and software developers work together to create a powerful yet flexible set of system development tools. We are therefore delighted that Microsoft has included VIA’s device drivers with the new Windows CE .NET 4.2 embedded operating system, as this will undoubtedly facilitate more rapid development of small, low-power and feature-rich digital media platforms.”

Paul Hsu
Executive Assistant to the President
VIA Technologies Inc.

“The new multimedia and Web-browsing features included in Windows CE .NET 4.2 will allow Vibren to deliver software solutions that create enhanced new-generation applications that our customers have been waiting for.”

Scott Pirdy
Vice President of Engineering
Vibren

Microsoft Early Development Programs for Windows CE .NET v. 4.2

About the Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group

Microsoft Windows Embedded operating systems and tools provide 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 offers a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of Windows Embedded customers, industry partners and developers. The Windows Embedded operating systems currently include Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded. The Server Appliance Kit for Windows 2000 helps OEMs build Windows Powered server appliances, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Web servers. Windows CE was honored at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show for innovations in the category of Software/Embedded Technologies. The Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group also delivers the Windows CE for Smart Displays software technology that powers a wide range of Smart Displays to extend the Windows XP experience to any room in the home. Currently in development is “Media2Go,” which is the code name for a new device platform for powering the next generation of portable media player devices that enable consumers to enjoy their videos, music and pictures on the go.

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.

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