BOSTON — Oct. 28, 2008 — Today at the Embedded Systems Conference Boston, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework version 3.0. With the version 3.0 release, the .NET Micro Framework enables developers to create powerful embedded systems that are more securely connected through a variety of wired and wireless protocols.
“The .NET Micro Framework continues to marry modern computing models with rich embedded capabilities, offering developers a highly productive approach to making smart devices, such as a home energy management system that manages your appliances based on the current energy rates and your needs, or a glucose meter that uploads your readings to a common place that is accessible to your caregivers,” said Colin Miller, product unit manager at Microsoft. “With the version 3.0 release, the .NET Micro Framework adds a number of major enhancements, enabling developers to be more versatile and flexible in creating powerful embedded systems.”
New Features of .NET Micro Framework Version 3.0
Version 3.0 brings several new features and enhancements to an already robust and productive development platform:
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Enhanced secure connectivity. .NET Micro Framework version 3.0 features new connectivity support, including Wi-Fi integration, Universal Serial Bus support, Web Services for Devices, secure sockets layer and support for a file system compatible with FAT32.
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Extended hardware choices. Enhancements include interoperability with native code allowing direct access to hardware, reduction in the minimum footprint to 64K RAM, a more accessible and easier-to-use porting kit, support for the Analog Devices Blackfin processor family, and ARM Thumb and Thumb-2 instruction sets.
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Increased productivity. A fully integrated development experience with both Visual Studio 2008 and Visual C# 2008 Express Edition — along with interoperability — provides developers with powerful debugging and emulation capabilities and a more flexible migration path for .NET developers and those with existing native code modules.
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Additional user interface options. Touch and gesture support enable development of more interactive and capable device applications.
“In today’s world, we are surrounded by small, embedded devices. This reality will undoubtedly grow at a substantial rate in the future, as device-makers are finding it easier than ever to bring new, compact devices to market quickly and efficiently with the .NET Micro Framework,” said Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. “As a truly embedded platform, the .NET Micro Framework provides a huge opportunity to make these devices even more powerful and intelligent. The new features of version 3.0 will help accelerate connectivity and increase the potential applications for smaller devices.”
Microsoft Dare to Dream Different Challenge
The .NET Micro Framework will be showcased at the Embedded Systems Conference Boston (Oct. 26–30, 2008, Microsoft Booth No. 501), along with the popular Microsoft Dare to Dream Different Challenge (http://dreamdifferentcontest.com), a skills-based competition for software developers to design and build innovative devices. Since its launch earlier this month, the challenge has generated excitement and interest for the .NET Micro Framework among the developer community, and promises to showcase the advantages and versatility of the platform.
About the .NET Micro Framework
The.NET Micro Framework is a platform that enables developers to more quickly develop embedded systems that are smart, securely connected and easier to manage. More information is available on the .NET Micro Framework Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/default.mspx.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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