Well, actually the big news here is that Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 Feature Pack 2007 (thank God it is a short and easy to manage name!) has been released to manufacturing. And while Feature Pack 2007 has gone to RTM, Microsoft is making available an evaluation edition. In this context, Feature Pack 2007 Evaluation is meant just for that and not to be implemented as a final release. As an extension to the Windows XP Embedded SP2, Feature Pack 2007 includes additional embedded enabling capabilities and servicing options. Moreover, Microsoft has revealed that some components of the operating system have been optimized and that developers will benefit from embedded tools.

"The Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 Feature Pack 2007 is not a stand alone product; it requires the developer to have Windows Embedded Studio tool suite installed. Feature Pack 2007 extends Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 providing developers with new embedded enabling features, re-optimized OS components, enhanced servicing options and powerful embedded-specific development tools. The Windows Embedded Studio tool suite now includes a command line script interface tool designed to automate the end-to-end build processes, increasing developer productivity," revealed Microsoft.

Feature Pack 2007 can be installed on top of both Windows XP Embedded SP1 and SP2 and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 4 and later, Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista.

"The Retail version is making its winding its way through the processes to be posted to the OEM Secure site. The bits are the same, the license wrapped around them is different, so if you can't wait you can at least preview the final build for Eval, but you'll have to uninstall and revert back to SP2 and then install Retail when it's up on the Secure site," announced the Windows XP Embedded Team.

Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 2 Feature Pack 2007 Evaluation is available for download here.