14 DAY TRIAL // The sixth generation of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 will be available for download starting November 3, 2006 on a global basis. And Craig Mundie, Microsoft Corp. chief research and strategy officer has also revealed that Windows Embedded CE 6.0 will deliver a plus over its predecessors. For one, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 will ship with integrated Visual Studio 2005. The Redmond Company has implemented the move in an effort to unify the development process from device to application. In this regard, the software giant will additionally deliver Platform Builder an embedded-specific integrated development environment as a plug-in for Visual Studio 2005 Professional.
Despite its name, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is not an operating system but a tool-kit designed to deliver a platform for the development of customized operating system images for non-desktops. Another first for Microsoft is the fact that the company has decided to offer the full Windows Embedded CE 6.0 kernel via the Microsoft Shared Source program. The previous Windows Embedded CE delivered a total of 44% of source-code access to device makers.
"Windows Embedded CE has not only defined a generation of small-footprint device development, but is the foundation for much of Microsoft's non-desktop strategy," Mundie said in a live webcast to thousands of developers worldwide today. "Over the next 10 years, Windows Embedded CE will continue to focus on creating new industry and design opportunities for device-makers and partners, while giving them the tools and technologies they need to create smarter, more connected scenarios."
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 supports 32,000 simultaneous processes and 2 GB of virtual memory are available to deal with space per process scenarios. Windows Embedded CE 6.0 also features data connections and voice calls over cellular networks, Vista compatibility and multimedia capabilities.
"Embedded devices are everywhere, and, as the number and variety of connected devices with embedded intelligence continues to grow, so does market demand for cost-effective, scalable, real-time operating systems that can support complex applications," said Daya Nadamuni, research vice president at Gartner Inc. "Vendors that break down barriers to development by offering advanced tools and community support to device-makers and developers stand to benefit from this growth. Further, as developers are able to view source code, they can debug devices more quickly and ultimately get unique devices to market faster."