The June 2008 Community Technology Preview of Windows Embedded Standard 2009 has been made available for download via Microsoft Connect. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 is the successor of Windows XP Embedded and, in this context, it was designed to play well with both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. At the same time, interoperability with the latest versions of the Windows client and sever operating systems is not the only thing that Windows Embedded Standard 2009 brings to the table. Along with the Redmond company's own software products which were transitioned to the Windows platform for embedded devices, Microsoft chose to highlight support for the Intel Atom processors.

"Including Intel's drivers, like those for the new Intel Atom Processor, in Windows Embedded Standard saves developers time otherwise required to validate and incorporate them into their designs. This development approach can save up to weeks in getting a product on the shelves," revealed Doug Davis, vice president of the Digital Enterprise Group, and general manager of Embedded and Communications Group at Intel.

Additionally, Windows Embedded Standard 2009 also features Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, .NET Framework 3.5, Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1, Network Access Protection (NAP) and Silverlight. As it officially launched the CTP build at Microsoft Tech Ed 2008, the Redmond giant indicated that its next generation of XP-based embedded operating system is planned for general availability in the third quarter of this year.

Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business Unit at Microsoft, opined that the market is ready for Microsoft's vision to become reality, and for the company's new strategy built around its next-gen lineup of embedded operating systems. "With new features in Windows Embedded Standard 2009 enabling OEMs to build embedded devices that combine seamlessly into existing enterprise infrastructure, including the latest Microsoft desktop and server technologies, we are delivering the core foundation for the next generation of smart, connected, service-oriented devices in the enterprise."