Microsoft reported that more than 60 companies participated in its Windows CE .NET 4.2 "Joint Development Partner" (JDP) program, which offered OEMs, silicon vendors, and software developers early access to the new version and, in turn, provided Microsoft with useful feedback on product features and requirements. The JDP program presumably also gave participants a headstart on developing devices, systems, and software applications based on CE .NET 4.2.

New features in CE .NET 4.2

According to Microsoft's Windows CE .NET 4.2 data sheet, new features in this release include: "wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, 802.11, and IPv6; file viewers; device emulation; and rich multi-media and browsing capabilities, such as Internet Explorer 6.0 and Windows Media 9 Series codecs." CE .NET currently supports selected ARM, MIPS, SuperH, and x86 processors.

Additionally, Microsoft highlighted the following new or enhanced features of CE .NET 4.2 in today's announcement . . .

• "Foundation" enhancements -- improved security and kernel enhancements, such as a faster compression engine and flexible cache flushing when using technologies such as Internet Protocol Firewall, Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)/IP Security Protocol (IPSec), and the Diffie-Hellman (D-H) Cryptographic Service Provider.
  
  
• New gateway, VoIP, and STB support -- new features to enable the creation of next-generation devices with advanced communication, data, and voice capabilities.
  
  
• Enhanced multimedia and browsing -- the addition of Internet Explorer 6 for Windows CE and Windows Media 9 Series codecs, resulting in rich, integrated browsing and multimedia, and the ability to provide an "instant-on, always on" digital media playback experience.
  
  
• New applications and services -- the .NET Compact Framework enables rapid, managed code development for devices, leveraging Microsoft's well-known desktop development tools. Additionally, Windows CE .NET 4.2 provides improved API compatibility across Windows CE-based devices, including the Pocket PC 2000 and 2002 software platforms. Windows CE .NET 4.2 also provides an additional CD containing 18 third-party solutions from eight Windows Embedded partners, including board support packages (BSPs), hardware specific device drivers, and profiling tools.

Availability

Microsoft will be demonstrating the newly released Windows CE .NET 4.2 in its booth at ESC this week. Evaluation kits are available for order on the Windows Embedded website. Further details on CE .NET 4.2 are here.

Stop by the Microsoft booth at the show to get your free 120-day evaluation CD!


Third-party support announcements

Here are selected announcements of third-party support for Windows CE .NET 4.2 from chip, board, system, and independent software vendors . . .

• ARM-based system-on-chips to support CE .NET version 4.2
  
  
• Windows CE .NET 4.2 adds support for MIPS-based processors
  
  
• Windows CE .NET 4.2 security on display at ESC
  
  
• DiskOnChip gains built-in support for CE .NET 4.2
  
  
• Motorola to showcase CE .NET 4.2 on i.MX apps processor
  
  
• Bsquare announces CE .NET 4.2 support for Alchemy processors

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