REDMOND, WASH. SEPT. 4, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the beta 2 release of Windows® XP Embedded, the componentized version of the Windows XP operating system used for building the most reliable and full-featured smart, connected client devices. Windows XP Embedded beta 2 will be made broadly available through the Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview Program, allowing developers to begin evaluating and prototyping their next-generation designs. With more than 10,000 components, Windows XP Embedded will help developers deliver rich, innovative solutions such as Windows-based terminals, residential gateways, retail point-of-sale devices and advanced set-top boxes. In addition, Microsoft today announced two new participants in the Windows XP Embedded Rapid Development Program (RDP): Wincor Nixdorf GmbH and Co. KG and Retalix Ltd., demonstrating increasing industrywide support for the next generation of Microsoft®
embedded products.
“We are excited to deliver a milestone in the development process by releasing Windows XP Embedded beta 2 broadly to our customers and partners,” said Bill Veghte, vice president of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. “The Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview will enable embedded developers to get a head start on their new designs by allowing them to create full-featured runtime images with all the capabilities of our next-generation desktop operating system, Windows XP, and at the same time, to provide us with valuable feedback to ship a rock-solid product.”
Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview Program
The Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview Program enables embedded developers to begin evaluating and prototyping designs based on Windows XP Embedded beta 2, which is available free on CD (shipping and handling charges apply) and can be ordered at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/xpepreview/ . Through programs such as the Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview and the “Talisker” Technology Preview, Microsoft is leading the embedded industry in providing a broad range of embedded developers with early access, allowing them to evaluate and plan for their next-generation designs. By delivering the platform and tools early to developers, the Windows XP Embedded Technology Preview Program will help them get their products to market soon after Windows XP Embedded is released.
Benefits of Windows XP Embedded Beta 2
Windows XP Embedded is designed to offer rapid development and deployment of smart, connected client devices such as advanced set-top boxes, thin clients, residential gateways, retail point-of-sale devices and kiosks. Developers will be able to take advantage of powerful new tools to easily integrate their devices into existing infrastructures. The following are some of the new features of Windows XP Embedded beta 2:
-
Enhanced security and reliability. Based on the Windows 2000 code base, Windows XP Embedded beta 2 includes enhanced security and reliability features such as Encrypting File System (EFS), IP Security (IPSec) and Windows File Protection (WFP), with the inclusion of the Kerberos security protocol and certificate services, enabling secure and dependable devices. Windows XP Embedded will also support the full hot-swap model, which will provide extra density, ruggedness and serviceability, allowing developers to insert or remove a board from a CompactPCI system without powering it down.
-
Latest functionality. Windows XP Embedded beta 2 provides developers with the broadest device support and cutting-edge technologies found in Windows XP Professional. Developers can take advantage of the latest multimedia functionality, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 browser software, Windows Media (TM) Player 8, the DirectX®
8 API and Digital Rights Management 8, to build feature-rich devices such as advanced set-top boxes. Windows XP Embedded beta 2 includes support for USB, IEEE 1394 and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), enabling developers to utilize a wide array of peripheral devices. -
Connectivity. The rich networking and management capabilities of Windows XP Embedded beta 2 provide seamless integration with other devices, through comprehensive support for protocols such as IPv6, IrDA, UPnP, 802.11, Terminal Server Client, VPN, L2TP and PPTP. Features like Remote Desktop allow users to remotely and securely access files, applications and network resources.
-
Rapid development. The complete, powerful toolset, which includes Target Designer, Component Designer, Target Analyzer and Database Manager, provides developers with streamlined and accelerated operating system customization, device bring-up and application development. Design Templates will allow developers to select from a group of target devices to automatically generate basic operating system images specific to the devices they are building, which they can further customize and add functionality, applications or hardware support.
Windows XP Embedded Rapid Development Program
Building on recent momentum in the retail space, Microsoft announced two new members of its Windows XP Embedded Rapid Development Program: Wincor Nixdorf and Retalix. Originally announced in April 2001, the RDP incorporates industry-leading original equipment manufacturers, systems integrators and silicon vendors, and is designed to gather in-depth technical feedback from industry partners and customers that are actively developing products based on Microsoft Windows XP Embedded. Other members of the RDP include Bally Gaming Inc., Fujitsu-Siemens Computers, National Semiconductor Corp., SCM Microsystems Inc., Siemens AG, VenturCom Inc., ViewSonic Corp. and Wyse Technology Inc.
“National’s Geode integrated processors together with the Windows XP Embedded operating system is a natural fit. As a member of the Windows XP Embedded Rapid Development Program, we are allowing our customers to get to market with Windows XP Embedded solutions more quickly,” said Michael Polacek, vice president of the Information Appliance Division at National Semiconductor. “National sees Windows XP Embedded as driving the adoption of Internet-enabled devices such as residential gateways, set-top boxes, WebPAD appliances and thin clients. The Windows XP Embedded operating system and National’s technology will create information appliances that deliver an uncompromising Internet experience.”
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, Windows Media, DirectX and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
