Microsoft Announces Broad Availability of “Talisker” Beta 2

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 13, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the beta 2 release of
“Talisker,” the code name for the next version of the Windows® CE operating system.
“Talisker”
beta 2, the robust real-time operating system for building the next generation of smart mobile devices, will be made broadly available through the
“Talisker” Technology Preview Program. This new program provides embedded developers with two ways to help jump-start their evaluation of the next version of Microsoft® Windows CE. First, the
“Talisker”
Emulation Edition Preview, available for free download at http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/ enables developers to build and test their design on a single Windows 2000- or Windows XP based workstation without additional hardware investments. Alternatively, developers can order the
“Talisker”
Technology Preview, which includes all supported processor architectures and is available on CD or DVD. Finally, Microsoft unveiled the
“Talisker”
Rapid Development Program (RDP). With current members including Intermec Technologies Corp., Siemens AG and Wyse Technology, the
“Talisker”
RDP is designed to gather in-depth technical feedback from industry partners and customers that are actively developing products and services on beta versions of
“Talisker.”

“Talisker beta 2 continues to build on our commitment to providing the most powerful embedded operating system and tools to build the next generation of smart, connected devices,”
said Bill Veghte, vice president of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft.

The broad code availability offered through the Technology Preview Program combined with the in-depth alliance of the RDP will ensure that Microsoft gathers extensive developer feedback while providing our partners and customers with early access to the next version of Windows CE.”


Talisker


Beta 2

Designed to enable developers to quickly and easily build rich, 32-bit connected smart devices that demand rich applications and services,
“Talisker”
is an ideal platform for OEMs developing smart mobile devices including mobile handhelds (PDAs), Web pads, smart phones, Windows thin clients, Internet appliances, media appliances, set-top boxes, retail point of sale devices, residential gateways and industrial automation solutions. Among the key new features of
“Talisker”
beta 2 are the following:

  • New Platform Wizard. Preconfigured operating system images included in Platform Builder will enable developers to build targeted devices even more quickly and easily.

  • Advanced wireless support. In addition to the support for Bluetooth that was announced in
    “Talisker”
    beta 1, Microsoft has added support for the latest wireless technology in beta 2. 802.1x Zero Configuration simplifies setup of 802.1x networks and enables seamless roaming from one 802.1x network to another. 802.1x and Extensible Authorization Protocol significantly enhance the security of 802.1x by enabling user/password, certificate or OEM-specific authentication to log on to the network.

  • Real-Time Collaboration and Communication (RTC/SIP). With support for industry-standard protocols such as SIP, OEMs can build devices that offer cutting-edge RTC such as messaging, presence and audio (Voice over IP) between any two IP-enabled devices.

  • Web browsing technologies. Support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5, an industry-leading Web browsing technology, provides functionality that matches the desktop version.

  • Rich multimedia support. The latest multimedia experiences, including DirectX® 8.0 and Windows Media™
    codecs, are supported.

  • Extensive multilanguage support. “Talisker”
    beta 2 includes new multilanguage functionality such as full localized operating system and application support for Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean application and operating system support, and Japanese Pocket IME.

  • Wide CPU selection. “Talisker”
    will continue to support four families of microprocessors: ARM, MIPS, SHx and x86.


Talisker


Emulation Edition Preview

A key priority for developers is the ability to quickly and cost-effectively bring their embedded devices to market.. With the release of the
“Talisker”
Emulation Edition Preview, Microsoft has taken another step in assisting developers in this effort. Available for free download at http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/ , the
“Talisker”
Emulation Edition Preview includes emulation technology that will enable developers to build and test their
“Talisker”
-based designs on workstations running Windows 2000 or Windows XP without the added expense or time required in purchasing additional hardware.


Talisker


Rapid Development Program

The
“Talisker”
Rapid Development Program is designed to enable industry-leading partners and customers to work closely with Microsoft as they begin development of their
“Talisker”
-based devices. By participating in this program, partners such as Intermec Technologies, Siemens and Wyse provide valuable hands-on product feedback throughout the ongoing
“Talisker”
development process. In turn, they are provided with early access to code that will significantly reduce their time to market when the final version of
“Talisker”
ships by the end of 2001.

About the Microsoft Windows Embedded Family

The 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.Current shipping Windows Embedded operating systems include Windows CE 3.0 and Windows NT® Embedded 4.0.

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

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