Meet the Windows Embedded Family of Products

REDMOND, Wash. — March 31, 2010 — How well do you know Windows Embedded?

Chances are you might be very familiar with us and our products. If not, there’s no doubt that you’ve interacted with us in some form or another whether commuting to work, stopping at the bank to deposit a check, buying something at a local department store or listening to your favorite song on the juke box of your favorite neighborhood establishment.

Windows Embedded is at the center of Microsoft’s strategy for driving the next generation of specialized devices with enhanced user experiences and streamlined connectivity to Windows-based PCs, servers and online services. We’re working to bring the power of Windows to specialized devices through software platforms, technologies and services. This means devices that are connected to one another, connected to and through cloud services as well as devices that extend Microsoft experiences.

Windows Embedded’s focus is to work with our vast partner and OEM ecosystem to develop an array of enterprise and consumer specialized devices. In addition we are focused on building technology platforms that meet the needs of specific industries: automotive, retail, manufacturing, medical and health care.

Windows Embedded is the platforms, technologies and services that enable you to bring the power of Windows to specialized devices. This means devices that are connected to one another, connected to and through cloud services as well as devices that extend Microsoft experiences.

In the enterprise, Windows on specialized devices represents seamlessly connecting to existing Microsoft technology infrastructure, managing devices through System Center, and extending the Microsoft developer experience to the process of building and supporting these devices.

To the consumer, Windows on specialized devices means utilizing the rich graphical capabilities of Silverlight to create intuitive user experiences that also incorporate Microsoft services like Bing, Zune and Windows Live.



Windows Embedded Release Road Map

Why are these devices so important? Computing continues to become increasingly distributed, devices are smarter and more connected — and Windows Embedded is the software platform making this happen. Analysts predict that the market for Windows Embedded specialized devices could reach tens of billions of devices by 2020. To put that into context, analysts also predict the market for PCs to be in the tens of millions, and phones to be in the billions.

The Windows Embedded product family is largely based on two Windows Embedded product lines: Windows Embedded CE (soon to be known as Windows Embedded Compact) and Windows Embedded Standard (formerly Windows XP Embedded).

However, those two platforms are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the entire family tree because there’s also:

Watch a video about the creators of Windows Embedded software platforms.

Over the past year, the Windows Embedded Business has developed and rolled out several updated products including most recently announcing the Windows Embedded Standard 7 release candidate (RC) in February 2010. Windows Embedded Standard 7 incorporates the latest technologies and developments from Windows 7 into the Windows Embedded Standard product line offering the power of Windows 7 in a highly reliable componentized form. This allows developers to pick and choose the tools and applications that fit their specialized device needs. This also ensures that developers are working with the slimmest operating system needed for a fully functioning device.

With Windows 7 features and functionality incorporated into Windows Embedded Standard 7, devices powered on this operating system are easier to use and easier to connect to existing enterprise infrastructures, Windows-based PCs, servers, online services and the comprehensive world of Windows.

Download Windows Embedded Standard 7 RC.

The Windows Embedded Standard 7 CTP was announced in September 2009 and is available to the worldwide OEM and developer communities by clicking here.

The RTM of Windows Embedded Standard 7 is scheduled for late April 2010. Stay tuned to the Windows Embedded News Center for more details.

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