Windows CE 2.0. Does you DVD player need an operating system (yes)...............
MICROSOFT: Microsoft announces release of Windows CE 2.0
M2 PRESSWIRE-30 October 1997-MICROSOFT: Microsoft announces release of Windows CE 2.0 (C)1994-97 M2
COMMUNICATIONS LTD
- Expanded development tools, major enhancements to embedded operating system for exciting new range of emerging
computing appliances and traditional embedded applications
Building on the extensive functionality of the Microsoft Windows CE operating system version 1.0, Microsoft announced the
release of Windows CE 2.0 today. Windows CE was designed and built from the ground up as an embedded platform to
empower the development of a new range of emerging computing appliances, including highly portable and personal
computing devices such as Handheld PCs (H/PCs), game consoles, smart phones, TV set-top boxes, DVD players and home
appliances, as well as traditional embedded applications such as process monitoring and control, instrumentation, data
collection, computer peripherals, office equipment, point-of-sale devices and telecommunications.
"The market has embraced Windows CE with great enthusiasm," said Anne Mitchard personal systems and Internet products
marketing manager at Microsoft. "In less than a year, there is now a large community of tool providers, systems integrators,
ISVs and OEMs supporting the Windows CE platform. With the release of Windows CE 2.0 in the UK, we expect the
deployment of Windows CE-based devices and applications to accelerate even more."
The modular, scaleable Windows CE platform allows hardware manufacturers to select from a rich set of services the
functionality required for their application, enabling the development of devices with a capable set of services in as little as
512K of ROM and 256K of RAM.
Real-Time Embedded Operating System Characteristics
The following are just a few of the enhancements in Windows CE 2.0 that build on and extend its real-time embedded
operating system characteristics:
*Windows CE 2.0 provides support for real-time deterministic task scheduling.
*Demand paging allows execution of programs larger than available RAM, which is one of the most expensive hardware
components. Now, there is virtually no limit to the size of an executable that can be run, even in the most RAM-limited
embedded applications. No extra effort by developers is required to partition application code into overlays or other
contrivances to shoehorn executables into smaller RAM spaces.
*Full UNICODE support enables the cost-effective development of localised embedded applications, which can profitably
compete in world-wide markets.
*Support for TrueType fonts enables high-quality, high-readability end-user interfaces across a wide range of display
technologies and form-factors.
*Support for 32-bit colour displays in a wide range of resolutions allows device manufacturers the option of offering their
customers a broad range of prices for a device, based on display technologies and resolution, from grey-scale up to 32-bit
colour.
*Windows CE 2.0 and future versions of the operating system support the following announced, high-performance, 32-bit,
embedded-processor architectures and manufacturers: ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, StrongARM, SuperH and x86 by AMD,
Digital, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Motorola, NEC, Philips and Toshiba.
Rich Connectivity and Interoperability
Windows CE was designed to provide rich connectivity and interoperability support to power the new era of interconnected
computing appliances. The following are just a few of the enhancements in Windows CE 2.0 that build on and extend its
real-time connectivity and interoperability:
*Windows Sockets API and service layer support networking communication protocols and facilitate the direct porting of
large amounts of application source code written to the API.
*Support for the WinINET API and services helps enable direct access to HTTP and FTP protocols from within 32-bit
Windows-based applications. This support also facilitates the direct porting of large amounts of Web and Internet application
source code from the Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems.
*Support for Secure Sockets Layer 2.0 and 3.0 is accessible through both the WinSock and WinINET interfaces.
*Support for client-side network file sharing APIs for Windows NT and services helps enable direct access to file and print
servers from within 32-bit Windows-based applications, and facilitates the direct porting of large amounts of client-side
application source code from the Windows 95 and Windows NT open platforms.
*A rich API provides direct support for data and file synchronisation and replication between embedded devices and
Windows-based PCs.
Rich Web-Browser and GUI Support
Windows CE offers rich support for graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of any embedded operating system. The following are
just a few of the enhancements in Windows CE 2.0 that build on and extend its support for rich GUIs:
*An embeddable, lightweight, small-footprint Web browser gives users the same look as Microsoft Internet Explorer and now
supports frames, cookies and embedded controls for increased compatibility with Web sites designed for desktop browsers.
*A library of lightweight, small-footprint controls helps developers build GUIs similar to those in Windows to reduce end user
learning time.
Windows-Based Services, Developers, Tools, Source Code
The most important business benefit of adopting Windows CE is that it empowers OEMs and ISVs to take advantage of the
immense assets of the world's largest base of developers, high-productivity tools and reusable application source code:
*Support for a subset of ActiveX technologies is included for processing COM functions and building flexible software
components.
*Support for Visual Basic programming system run time for Windows CE enables rapid solutions development.
*Support for Java virtual machine is based on JDK 1.1.
*The familiar Win32 API programming model and recently expanded choice of development tools - including Microsoft
Windows CE Embedded Toolkit for the Visual C++ development system 5.0, Windows CE Toolkit for Visual C++ 5.0,
Windows CE Toolkit for Visual Basic 5.0 and Windows CE Toolkit for Visual J++ development software 1.1 - means
millions of developers already have the expertise to create applications for the Windows CE platform. Whether developers are
building new applications or extending the reach of the more than 17,000 existing 32-bit Windows-based packaged
applications world-wide, these capabilities support faster time-to-market of compelling business solutions.
Windows CE Availability
The Windows CE operating system can be licensed directly from Microsoft for large-volume applications and through
dedicated system distributors for smaller-volume applications. For more information about Windows CE, visit
microsoft.com.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the world-wide leader in software for personal computers. The
company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Active X, Visual Basic, Win32, Visual C++ and Visual J++ are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Anne Mitchard, Microsoft Ltd Tel: +44 (0)870 6010100 Microsoft Press Office, Text 100 Ltd Tel: +44 (0)181
242 4242 e-mail: MSPressOffice@text100.co.uk WWW: text100.co.uk
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