Hey, Windows Embedded Standard 7 — What’s New With You?

REDMOND, Wash. — May 21, 2010

It’s an exciting time for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) when a new operating system is released — who doesn’t love when new features become available? With the recently announced release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Embedded Standard 7 paving the way for the next-generation of consumer and enterprise devices, OEMs are leveraging Windows Embedded Standard 7 to provide more features than ever before.

The release of Windows Embedded Standard 7 has many developers asking what is new compared with previous generations. According to Ashwin Kulkarni, senior product manager for Windows Embedded, OEMs will find considerably more value in Windows Embedded Standard 7.

Windows Embedded Standard 7 delivers Windows 7 technologies to next-generation devices, allowing OEMs to deliver unique experiences to consumers. “We allow OEMs to build the devices they want by delivering the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customizable form,” Ashwin said. In addition, the new Windows Touch functionality makes it easier for OEMs to create an immersive experience for users by incorporating multitouch and multigesture capabilities. For example, OEMs can add innovative features, like pan, zoom and rotate, or even commands by using specific finger gestures.

One of the most noteworthy additions to Windows Embedded Standard 7 not available in previous versions is the Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player 12 functionality to the platform. Information can be shared in a snap across Windows-based PCs and connected media devices (CMDs). For consumers, Ashwin says, “the key benefit is the ability to merge content from different sources, like Internet and broadcast TV, right in their living room. There’s no need to go back and forth.”

See a demo of the Windows Media Center features in Windows Embedded Standard 7.



Example of Windows Media Center Feature in Windows Embedded Standard 7

With the inclusive of Applocker, OEMs can specify exactly what is allowed to run on the device they are envisioning, making the process more streamlined and customizable compared with previous versions. For example, OEMs can customize what piece of an application they want to use — think creating an Internet browser, but being able to block the pop-ups, or creating your favorite sub sandwich and holding the tomatoes.

For IT organizations, DirectAccess functionality makes it easier to manage and control devices in remote locations by connecting them seamlessly and more securely to a corporate network when connected to the Internet. This eliminates the hassle of VPN solutions. Also notable for organizations is the inclusion of BranchCache, which makes downloading files from a datacenter almost immediate.

The improvements above aren’t the only key areas that are improved with the release of Windows Embedded Standard 7 — enhanced power management for “greener” solutions, faster boot times, and allowing OEMs to build next-generation systems that require higher memory and increased processing power are also worth noting.

For more information on what’s new in Windows Embedded Standard 7, be sure to check out the architectural and feature comparisons of Windows Embedded Standard 7 versus Windows Embedded Standard 2009.

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