ALL,
Here's an interesting PR from Wind River. Note the relationships
between pJava and VxWorks that they have built:
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Wind River Systems Offers Graphics Portfolio for Embedded Computers
Full Spectrum of Commercial Products Meets Growing Demand for Broad Range Of Graphics Solutions in Embedded Computers
ALAMEDA, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Wind River Systems (Nasdaq: WIND - news), the leading provider of real-time operating systems, integrated software development tools and engineering services for embedded applications, today has taken a revolutionary step forward in putting the ''face'' on faceless devices with the industry's most complete portfolio of graphics solutions. The company's complete graphics strategy is expressed through a collection of products that enable GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) and the rendering of rich graphical content on traditional embedded devices and leading-edge information appliances -- from office and medical equipment to screenphones, set-top boxes and car navigation systems. Wind River's new portfolio addresses the diverse graphics requirements of these embedded computers with four core standards-based solutions: PersonalJava for VxWorks(R), eNavigator(TM), HTMLWorks(TM) and Zinc(R) for VxWorks.
''As embedded computing devices have become more sophisticated and more connected -- through the Internet, for example, there is a greater need for users to be able to interact with these devices through easy-to-use, intuitive Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs),'' said Ron Abelmann, president and CEO of Wind River Systems. ''Until now the economics and lack of appropriate technology have made it difficult to bring GUIs to price sensitive, performance-driven embedded computers.
''After our extensive assessment of the rapidly evolving graphics requirements of the embedded market, we have brought together the most comprehensive and scalable solution for embedded computers. The combination of products obtained through the acquisition of Zinc Software, the purchase of HTML technology from Network Computer Inc., and our Java product line layered over our VxWorks operating system gives Wind River a very powerful graphics solution,'' continued Abelmann.''
Putting Unique Faces on Faceless Devices
The ability to add GUIs to electronic devices other than personal computers brings the previously ''hidden'' embedded computer market into mainstream consciousness. But unlike the desktop market where all PCs look the same and offer equivalent functionality, embedded computer developers must build an interface style that reflects their device's dedicated purpose and promotes their own unique brand or ''face'' rather than subordinating it to the brand of the operating system supplier.''
''No 'one-size fits all' graphics solution will satisfy the unique and varied requirements of the wide range of embedded computers,'' said Curt Schacker, vice president of marketing for Wind River Systems. ''By offering solutions that address Java, HTML, and C++, this graphics portfolio offers developers unmatched flexibility to build a device-specific user interface that will enhance the usability of a particular product.''
Requirements for Building an Embedded GUI
GUIs allow the user to more easily utilize the features of the embedded computer (EC). For instance, with an interactive GUI, a developer can provide up-to-date, on-line instructions for using new features instead of relying on one-word descriptions displayed on a mechanical button, and an end user can upgrade an EC on the fly by downloading a product update via a remote Internet site. In order to achieve this ease-of-use and flexibility, the software requirements for GUIs mirror those of embedded OSs with the need for portability; scalability and configurability; reliability; and fast, real-time operation.
''Not only does our new graphics portfolio enable a wide range of interface styles, each product is tightly integrated with our field-proven VxWorks(R) real-time operating system and powerful Tornado(TM) development environment, thereby taking advantage of our traditional embedded OS strengths and optimizing the GUI development process to meet time-to-market demands,'' continued Schacker.
Graphics Portfolio
Wind River graphics portfolio includes the following products: PersonalJava for VxWorks, eNavigator, HTMLWorks and Zinc for VxWorks.
PersonalJava for VxWorks provides the portability and extensibility of Java graphics to memory-constrained network-connectable consumer applications such as hand-held devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, car navigation systems and smart phones. PersonalJava includes a scalable implementation of Java's high-level AWT graphics interface called pAWT. It provides an interface between AWT's higher-level components (menus, buttons, etc.) and primitive, native graphics elements such as line drawing and text rendering. pAWT makes windowing completely optional and requires just a low-level 2D graphics interface to the operating system.
PersonalJava comes with a reference ''look-and-feel'' implementation toolkit but also allows OEMs to readily define unique, ''designer-brand'' interfaces. Wind River offers the first RTOS port of PersonalJava that has been certified for full compatibility.
HTMLWorks is a set of HTML and JavaScript components for Wind River's VxWorks, and a reference UI that enables developers to build and deploy more complex interactive UIs for embedded devices that are connected to a network but do not perform general Web browsing. Together with the Tornado(TM) development environment and VxWorks, HTMLWorks provides an economical solution for building GUIs with highly customized user interfaces on products such as gas pumps, networked copiers, and point-of-sale terminals. These devices incorporate HTML technology in order to provide remote control functions and the ability to update device features or GUI content on-the-fly. (See related announcement entitled ''New Wind River Tools Provide Optimized HTML Technology...'', October 5, 1998).
eNavigator is a World Wide Web browser toolkit for information appliances, kiosks, and handheld devices that require a more traditional web browser for retrieving and displaying information. eNavigator's software kit contains all the main browser components: a user interface (UI), an HTML parsing and layout engine (the ''browser engine''), support for JavaScript, and the capability to access Web applications through the browser interface (e.g., e-mail). (See related announcement entitled ''New Wind River Tools Provide Optimized HTML Technology...'', October 5, 1998).
Zinc for VxWorks is a comprehensive tool suite for developing small-footprint, natively compiled, graphical user interfaces for performance- driven embedded devices. It provides a complete object-oriented, C++ application program interface (API) for the creation of graphical user interfaces and event-driven applications. The Zinc API is composed of GUI libraries, a visual design tool (GUI builder), portable make utility, hypertext-based on-line documentation, and numerous examples and tutorials. Zinc for VxWorks can easily be scaled and configured to meet the exact GUI requirements of a given application. User interfaces (UIs) can be created using a wide range of user interface objects such as windows, buttons, notebooks, and tables. Any UI object may be easily customized to deliver a unique appearance and feel or to emulate any desktop style. (See related announcement entitled ''Advanced User Interface for Embedded Real-Time Operating Systems Now Available From Wind River Systems'' July 7, 1998)
Availability
PersonalJava for VxWorks and Zinc for VxWorks are available now. HTMLWorks and eNavigator and will be available Q4 1998. For more information on any of Wind River's products, please call 800-545-WIND or 510-748-4100, send e-mail to inquiries@wrs.com, or visit wrs.com
Wind River Systems, Inc.
Wind River Systems, Inc., an ISO 9001 registered company is the leading provider of integrated software development tools for real-time embedded applications in the Internet, telecommunications, data communications, office automation, networking, computer peripherals, medical, automotive, industrial, aerospace and multimedia markets. Through the industry's most comprehensive product line and customer support, Wind River enables customers to develop and reuse application software across a variety of products and platforms, shortening development cycles and improving time-to-market. Incorporated in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California with representation worldwide. Wind River reported revenues of $92.4 million in fiscal year 1998, a 44% increase from fiscal year 1997.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated herein, including but not limited to timely development, acceptance and pricing of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risk factors detailed in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
NOTE: eNavigator, HTMLWorks, and Tornado are trademarks and VxWorks, Wind River Systems and the Wind River Systems logo are registered trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. Zinc is a registered trademark of Zinc Software, Incorporated. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.
SOURCE: Wind River Systems, Inc.
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