meanwhile, over in the Windows CE camp....
Industry-Leading Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Announce New Microsoft Windows CE-Based Devices at 2001 International CES
Bill Gates Demonstrates Wide Range of Windows Powered Devices in Keynote
Address
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at 2001 International CES, six new Windows(R) CE operating system-based devices were announced, including Internet radios, Web pads and a wearable Internet appliance from Hitachi Ltd., Samsung Electronics, Siemens, AboCom Systems, DigMedia Inc. and SmartMedia. These new products represent just a few of the many Microsoft(R) Windows CE-based devices highlighted at CES this year, including those demonstrated during Bill Gates' keynote address such as Hitachi's wearable Internet appliance, Pocket PCs from Compaq Computer Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., UltimateTV from Microsoft Corp., and Microsoft Car.NET. The breadth of Windows Powered devices showcased at this event is a clear demonstration that companies are selecting Windows CE 3.0 as their platform of choice for connected, 32-bit client devices that demand rich applications and Internet services. These devices and others are being showcased at the Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Booth 626 at CES in Las Vegas.
(Photo: newscom.com )
Hitachi needed an embedded operating system that would enable the wearable Internet appliance to be built in less than six months," said Osamu Ebina, section manager of the Digital Media Systems Division at Hitachi. "We explored various embedded operating systems, including Linux, and found that only Windows CE 3.0 provided the rich functionality and comprehensive tool set we needed to develop our product quickly."
While differing in form, features and functionality, these new devices have one thing in common -- Internet connectivity. The ability to access the Internet is a must-have in these new devices, and Windows CE not only enables that but also ensures that the end user has a rich experience once connected. Some of the key technologies in Windows CE that enable this include the following:
-- Rich multimedia functionality. Windows Media(TM) Technologies, which includes the Windows Media Player, enables support for audio and video playback and streaming media. The DirectX(R) application programming interface, an API set, allows developers to build rich multimedia applications.
-- Complete browsing experience. Internet Explorer 4.0, a low-footprint browser included in Windows CE 3.0, enables a rich browsing experience with functionality nearly equivalent to that of the Internet Explorer 4.0 desktop version but consumes much less memory.
-- Efficient memory usage and power management. A richly featured Windows CE configuration, including Internet Explorer 4.0, consumes less than 8 MB of memory, lowering hardware costs for consumer devices, while advanced power management technologies optimized for battery-powered devices can provide 10 hours of continuous use.
-- Comprehensive tool set. Platform Builder 3.0, a comprehensive tool set for building Windows CE-based devices, enables developers to build their customized device significantly more easily and faster than ever. eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0 provides a complete tool set for creating applications and new system components for any embedded design based on Windows CE.
"We are seeing strong adoption of Windows CE 3.0, especially as a platform for Internet-enabled devices," said Bill Veghte, vice president of the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Embedded developers are choosing Windows CE because it provides a complete solution that enables them to quickly and easily bring a feature-rich Windows Powered device to market."
More than 100,000 attendees are expected to visit the Microsoft booth to view the broad range of Windows CE-based devices being showcased, including the following:
-- AboCom X-Pilot. This wireless Web Pad gives users quick and easy access to the Internet.
-- Acer IP-100 Web Telephone. This advanced telephone gives users quick access to e-mail, voice messaging, caller ID, contact information and the Internet.
-- Audioramp iRAD. The iRAD combines streaming and downloadable audio with AM/FM and CD features all in one design.
-- Compaq iPAQ Home Internet Appliance. This appliance gives people of all skill levels access to their favorite Web sites at home with no software to load and with built-in help.
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