LAS VEGAS, Oct. 22, 2002 — At the third annual Microsoft® Windows®
Embedded Developer Conference in Las Vegas today, keynote speaker Todd Warren, general manager of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft Corp., announced the availability of the Windows XP Embedded operating system with Service Pack 1 (SP1), delivering on Microsoft’s commitment to make new Windows XP Embedded technologies available within90 days of the client release. Windows XP Embedded with SP1 delivers expanded foreign-language support and the Microsoft .NET Framework, in addition to a number of embedded-specific features such as remote boot and diskless operation. Also announced was a $995 pricing promotion for the Platform Builder and Target Designer Windows Embedded tool sets.
Windows XP Embedded with SP1 is the componentized version of Windows XP SP1, announced earlier this year. Windows XP SP1 was designed to bring enhanced security, reliability and compatibility to users. Windows XP Embedded with SP1 is based on the same binaries as Windows XP SP1, giving embedded developers access to the full range of technologies, features and applications available on the client. Windows XP Embedded with SP1 provides more than 10,000 individual operating system features, services and drivers to help develop customized, reduced-footprint embedded devices.
New embedded-specific features in Windows XP Embedded with SP1 include:
-
Remote boot enables a Windows XP Embedded-based client device to boot remotely using an image downloaded from a server. Operating system and software updates are managed centrally from a server, eliminating the need for persistent storage such as a hard drive or Flash RAM and thus significantly reducing device deployment and maintenance costs for devices such as retail point-of-sale terminals and self-service kiosks.
-
Device Update Agent (DUA) is designed to address scenarios in which it is necessary to incrementally update or service Windows XP Embedded-based devices — such as thin clients, gaming systems, residential gateways and set-top boxes — that have been deployed to the field. Customers can manage devices and apply updates to them without being at the same physical location. DUA is ideal for updating, adding or removing binaries, as well as modifying registry data.
-
System Deployment Image (SDI) Manager enables users to quickly deploy runtime images to Windows XP Embedded devices. The SDI Manager can significantly reduce deployment costs by improving developer productivity through a streamlined end-to-end image deployment process.
-
Footprint Estimator estimates the size of individual components and their dependencies, as well as macrocomponents, before adding them to a configuration. This enables developers to know beforehand the impact of a given component on the image size, thereby avoiding guesswork and saving development time and costs.
-
Microsoft .NET Framework provides the ability to build, deploy and run Web-based applications, XML Web services and stand-alone applications built upon the Common Language Runtime and .NET Framework class libraries.
-
New communication protocols and services, include:
-
-
IPv6, providing longer IP addresses, better routing capabilities and more integrated security
-
USB 2.0, supporting the latest USB standard to work with the widest range of USB peripherals such as scanners, mouse products, keyboards and more
-
The evaluation version of Windows XP Embedded with SP1 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/xp/evaluation/trial/evalkit.asp .
Price Promotion of $995 for Windows Embedded Tool Suite
In addition, Microsoft announced a six-month promotional price of $995 (U.S. estimated retail price) for the tool suites for both Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded to enable developers to build devices quickly and at a lower initial cost. The price promotion is available for both the Platform Builder and Target Designer tool sets and is valid worldwide from Oct. 1, 2002, through March 31, 2003.
Windows Embedded Developers Conference 2002
The third annual Windows Embedded Developers Conference began yesterday and runs through Oct. 24 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Attendees have access to in-depth technical sessions about the Microsoft Windows Embedded family of operating systems, technologies and development tools — including Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE .NET and Visual Studio®
.NET — taught by members of the Microsoft product team and industry experts who are designing and developing the next generation of Windows Embedded operating systems.
About the Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group
The Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group (EAPG) delivers the Windows Embedded operating systems and tools, which are comprehensive software platforms for building the next generation of intelligent, 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich applications and Internet services. 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. Windows Embedded operating systems currently shipping include Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded, as well as the Server Appliance Kit for Windows 2000. The EAPG is also working on a new device category, Windows Powered Smart Displays, that will extend the Windows XP experience throughout the home. More information for those who wish to partner with EAPG can be had by contacting [email protected].
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.
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. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
Industry Partner Quotes
“Fujitsu sees the launch of Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 as a promising advancement that will drive down user costs in the retail market. This release of Windows XP Embedded provides much-desired functionality such as the ability to remotely boot Windows and support diskless Windows clients. These Service Pack 1 capabilities will provide valuable flexibility in system design, configuration and operation.”
-
Tom Juliano
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Fujitsu Ltd.
“Device Update Agent, included in Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1, is a wonderful feature for NEC Infrontia’s Point of Sale solutions that will enhance the functionality of our POS terminals and satisfy the requirements of our customers. We have been expecting this feature and are pleased with Microsoft’s decision to release it as a part of Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1.”
-
Eiichi Kumagai
Associate Senior Vice President
Second Operations Unit
NEC Infrontia Corp.
“Neoware is delighted to be working with Microsoft to deliver Windows XP Embedded solutions. Microsoft’s enhancements in Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 offer substantial customer benefit through additional Microsoft .NET support and multilingual user interface capabilities. Key to thin-client customers is the addition of remote boot support, which will provide increased manageability and lower device cost.”
-
Howie Hunger
Executive Vice President
Worldwide Marketing and Business Development
Neoware Systems Inc.
“Toshiba TEC will develop our next retail POS terminals based on the new features offered in Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1. We consider Device Update Agent to be a significant enhancement to Toshiba TEC’s overall product services and a key feature that will reduce the total cost of ownership for our customers. Toshiba TEC will continue to look to Microsoft for embedded technology advancements that will extend our product offerings worldwide.”
-
Hiroshi Wada
Vice President and Technology Executive
Toshiba TEC Corp.
“Retailers purchasing Wincor Nixdorf solutions demand globally available operating systems that are scalable and can be optimized to meet the retail industry’s specific functional and technological requirements. Wincor Nixdorf believes that Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 represents this kind of operating system. By providing support for Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1, we provide our engineers with the most innovative technologies for our hardware and software product development. In addition, we ensure that Wincor Nixdorf is offering the latest OS functionalities to our existing and future Windows XP Embedded customers.”
-
Michael Schulte
Head of Software Marketing
Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
“Wyse is committed to meeting customer demand for secure server-centric computing solutions, and the availability of Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1 for the Wyse Winterm 9000 thin-client series extends the security features offered in the initial release of the operating system. These features, combined with the availability of localization MUI packs for international customers, demonstrate Microsoft’s support for the needs of thin-client customers worldwide.”
-
Brad Rowland
Director of Product Management
Wyse Technology Inc.