DetailsWINDOWS MOBILE BROWSER CLAIMED "FIVE TIMES" FASTERJapanese firm Ibis has released a new mobile Web browser claimed to be five times faster than Internet Explorer. The IbisBrowserDX supports touchscreen-enabled Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices, but lacks support for Flash and Javascript.
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FEBRUARY
MOBILE FIREFOX SEEKS UI FEEDBACKThe Mozilla Foundation has released prototype user interfaces (Uis) for its upcoming mobile version of Firefox, and is seeking comments. While not final, these Uis could easily be incorporated in the final product, according to a blog post by Mozilla developer and project lead Doug Turner.
DetailsCE-BASED PHONE STACK SUPPORTS TOUCHSCREENSIntrinsyc plans to build new capabilities and add third-party software support into its Windows CE-based software stack. During 2008, the Soleus stack will gain support for 3G handsets and touchscreen interfaces, document viewers, multimedia codecs, and more "pre-certified" phone driver models, according to the company.
Details"ZOOMING" WINDOWS MOBILE UI SHIPSZumobi has announced that its "zooming" user interface and mobile widget platform for Windows Mobile phones is now out of beta. Version 1.0 includes significant performance improvements, better image rendering, quicker updating of content, and a smaller installation file, according to the company.
DetailsMICROSOFT BEEFS UP .NET MICRO FRAMEWORK NETWORKINGMicrosoft has announced a new release of its .NET Micro Framework platform for low-end embedded processors. Version 2.5 adds a native TCP/IP stack and support for Web Services on Devices (WSD), which aims to allow network-connected devices to discover and connect to one another.
DetailsGOOGLE TOOLS LET AJAX APPS RUN OFFLINEGoogle has announced a browser extension aimed at enabling Javascript-based Web applications to work better when a device is offline. Google Gears for Windows Mobile works with Internet Explorer, requires minor changes to programs written in AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML), and already boasts third-party word processing and finance applications.
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MARCH
MICROSOFT TO ADD NATIVE NFC TO WINDOWS MOBILEMicrosoft and RFID vendor Sirit have announced plans to collaborate on adding proximity technologies to Windows Mobile. The agreement aims to integrate near field communications (NFC) into the operating system, providing contactless payment, secure access, control of home entertainment systems, and other features.
DetailsWINDOWS MOBILE BROADENS WEB FORMAT SUPPORTWindows Mobile will gain native support for PDF (portable document format), SWF (Shockwave Flash), and FLV (Flash video), according to Adobe, which says Microsoft has licensed its Flash Lite and Adobe Reader LE (lightweight edition) for the phone stack. No timeframe for integration was announced, however.
DetailsMICROSOFT CASTS SILVERLIGHT ON WINDOWS MOBILEMicrosoft has announced a Windows Mobile 6 version of its Flash-like, cross-platform multimedia plug-in. Silverlight 1.0 for Mobile will provide animation, vector graphics, and media playback, and let developers leverage existing media assets to bring rich multimedia experiences to mobile devices, the company said.
DetailsMICROSOFT UPDATES .NET SOFTWARE FOR POS DEVELOPERSMicrosoft has updated a software library allowing POS (point of service) developers to connect peripherals to .NET applications. Updating several existing functions, POS for .NET v1.12 also adds device classes for conveyor belts, electronic transaction management, doors/gates, item dispensers, lights, and RFID scanners.
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APRIL
MICROSOFT UNVEILS WINDOWS MOBILE 6.1Microsoft has announced an upgrade to its embedded operating system for smartphones and PDAs. Windows Mobile 6.1 includes a "sliding panel" home screen, a new task manager, enhanced cut-and-paste, threaded SMS, improved Direct Push technology, and the ability to zoom out on web pages, Microsoft says.
DetailsMICROSOFT SPARES XP FOR LOW-COST LAPTOPSMicrosoft has given Windows XP an extended stay of execution. The company announced today that Windows XP Home Edition will continue to be available until at least June 2010, though only on devices it terms ultra-low-cost PCs (ULCPCs), like the Asus Eee and Intel Classmate mini-laptops.
DetailsMICROSOFT RENAMES EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEMSAt the April Embedded Systems Conference (ESC), Microsoft announced plans to rename Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, and Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS). It also announced free board support package certification, and low-cost hardware/software bundles 1,000 of them being given away at the show.
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MAY
MICROSOFT GIVES AWAY NEXT-GEN ROBOTICS TOOLSMicrosoft has launched a new version of its Windows-based robotics programming platform, plus a website designed to stage virtual robot programming competitions. Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 is available initially as a "community technology preview" (CTP) that is freely available for anyone to download.
DetailsQT RELEASE FINALIZES SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS CE, MOBILETrolltech has released a new version of its cross-platform application development framework. Qt version 4.4 supports Windows CE and Windows Mobile as build targets, and incorporates the Webkit open-source browser engine, along with a new multimedia framework and multicore support.
DetailsMICROSOFT RELEASES VS 2008, NET FRAMEWORK 3.5 BETAS Microsoft has released new beta versions of its Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 programming tools. The updates preview the Service Pack 1 (SP1) editions scheduled for release this summer, and include a bevy of bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new features.
DetailsCITRIX SHIPS VIRTUAL DESKTOP PLATFORMCitrix has begun shipping its new software for delivering virtualized Windows desktops to thin clients running Windows CE, Windows XP Embedded, or other operating systems. XenDesktop dynamically assembles a "new, pristine, high-performing desktop," with personalized applications and settings, every time a user logs on.
DetailsMICROSOFT ENHANCES ENTERPRISE DEVICE MANAGEMENT TOOLS Microsoft has announced eighteen free software utilities that work with its enterprise management platform for Windows Mobile 6.1 devices. The "System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 Resource Kit Tools" help administrators configure management servers, provision smartphones, and remove devices that are no longer required.
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JUNE
MICROSOFT TIPS .NET MF 3.0 HIGHLIGHTSMicrosoft has released details of the third major release of its development environment for deeply embedded systems. Available as a public beta "later this summer," .NET Micro Framework 3.0 will include a new file system, touchscreen support, WiFi, USB, and a variety of added hardware support.
DetailsMICROSOFT TARGETS PNDS WITH NEW EMBEDDED OSMicrosoft has announced an operating system "designed specifically for OEMs building handheld PNDs" (portable navigation devices). Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 is based on Windows CE 5.0, but adds enhanced Bluetooth capabilities, SideShow functionality, Live Search, and MSN Direct technologies.
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JULY
MICROSOFT RELEASES SERVER VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGYMicrosoft has announced the RTM (release to manufacturing) and an available download for its new hypervisor-based server virtualization platform. Hyper-V allows a single physical server to be divided into as many as 64 virtual machines, each running its own server operating system.
DetailsOPERA BETAS NEW WINDOWS MOBILE BROWSEROpera Software has released its first public beta of a new Windows Mobile web browser. Opera Mobile 9.5 offers full-screen browsing, panning and zooming, a new user interface, remote development and debugging tools, and the ability to save pages to a phone, says Opera.
DetailsMICROSOFT FINALIZES XO XPMicrosoft released its version of Windows XP for the XO laptop, a low-cost device aimed primarily at children. Available in September from non-profit One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), the hardware/software combo will cost about $200, providing an e-book mode, networking, camera, and custom keys, says Microsoft.
DetailsSKYFIRE TROUNCES COMPETITORS IN MOBILE BROWSER COMPAROAn interesting blog post by
Laptop Magazine's Todd Haselton compares the Safari web browser on Apple's iPhone to two Windows Mobile browsers -- Skyfire and Opera Mobile 9.5. According to his tests, Safari is generally faster than Opera Mobile, but Skyfire is dramatically faster than both.
DetailsWINDOWS MOBILE GAINS CLOUD SYNCMicrosoft has launched a lightweight website aimed at availing Windows Mobile device users of its fledgling "Live Mesh" service. The service aims to let users share and synchronize files between PCs running heterogeneous OSes, and even control them remotely.
DetailsMICROSOFT SHIPS .NET MF 3.0 BETAMicrosoft is beta testing a new version of its development environment for deeply embedded systems. Now downloadable by developers, the .NET Micro Framework 3.0 beta includes a new filesystem, touchscreen support, WiFi, USB, and a variety of added hardware support.
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AUGUST
MICROSOFT UPDATES EMBEDDED OSESMicrosoft released two significant updates for its premier, x86-based embedded operating systems. Downloadable now in betas termed Community Technology Previews (CTPs), the updates include Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP Embedded (Xpe), and a new version of its successor, Windows Embedded Standard (WES).
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SEPTEMBER
GOOGLE SPINS WEB BROWSERGoogle launched an open-source web browser claimed to feature "enhanced stability and security." Google Chrome, downloadable now for Windows XP and Vista, features tabs whose memory areas are protected from one another, a new JavaScript engine, and a private browsing mode.
DetailsMICROSOFT DEMOS MOBILE CLOUD SYNC CLIENTMicrosoft has offered developers a quick peek at an unreleased Windows Mobile client for its fledgling "Live Mesh" service. The service aims to let users share and synchronize files between smartphones and PCs running heterogeneous Oses, and also includes remote control capabilities.
Details"FASTEST" WINDOWS MOBILE BROWSER FINALLY DOWNLOADABLESkyfire Labs announced a public beta of its Windows Mobile web browser, claimed to make browsing on a smartphone "just like browsing on a PC." Touted features in Skyfire version 0.8 include fast operation, contextual zoom, improved text entry, A/V playback, and Today screen integration.
DetailsINTRINSYNC SPINS SOLEUS UPGRADESIntrinsyc Software has announced a 20 percent reduction in workforce, but also promised updates to its Windows CE application stack for phones and PNDs (personal navigation devices). The navigation-oriented "Soleus Transit" and a Soleus 2.0 beta will both be released in the fourth quarter.
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OCTOBER
WINDOWS MOBILE 6.1 CLEARS SECURITY HURDLEMicrosoft announced that Windows Mobile 6.1 has received an important U.S. Federal security certification. "Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 2+ (EAL2+)" certification means the operating system can potentially be used in combat and reconnaissance missions, battlefield medical triage, logistical support, and other secure operations.
DetailsMICROSOFT UNLEASHES NEW EMBEDDED OSMicrosoft says it has released its new embedded operating system for x86-based devices to product manufacturers. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 combines Windows XP codebase updates with new versions of Internet Explorer, RDP (remote desktop protocol), Windows Media Player, and .NET.
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NOVEMBER
WINDOWS 7 IS "NETBOOK-FRIENDLY"It might be too early to plan the funeral, but the end of Windows XP as a desktop operating system is nigh. The forthcoming Windows 7 will run well even on netbooks, according to Microsoft officials, removing any excuse for OEMs to ship its seven-year-old predecessor.
DetailsMICROSOFT ENHANCES LIVE MESHMicrosoft announced "significant new features" for its software-plus-services offering, aimed at synchronizing content between multiple desktop PCs and mobile devices. "Live Mesh" now offers dedicated Windows Mobile and Macintosh OS X (left) client software, is available worldwide, and includes a bevy of enhancements.
DetailsMICROSOFT CONFIRMS WINDOWS MOBILE 6.5Microsoft has confirmed that it plans to release Windows Mobile 6.5 next year. Word of the smartphone operating system upgrade came directly from company CEO Steve Ballmer, speaking yesterday at a investor briefing held by Australian carrier Telstra.
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DECEMBER
NEW MICROSOFT SMARTPHONE OS RUMOREDMicrosoft has updated the authoritative DNS servers for its "kumo.com" domain registration, choosing servers within its "search.live.com" subdomain. The move may signal a rebranding for LiveSearch, according to lots of unsubstantiated reports or a whole new super-secret Microsoft smartphone stack, according to one daring guess.
DetailsCARRIERS HOLDING BROWSER UPGRADE HOSTAGE?Microsoft's new Windows Mobile web browser will apparently be released in China first. And to the consternation of many enthusiasts Internet Explorer Mobile 6 will be available only on new phones, not as a downloadable upgrade to existing devices, Microsoft is currently saying.
DetailsPOS STACK TO LAUNCH AT NYC RETAIL SHOW Microsoft announced plans to launch its next-generation operating system for POS (point of sales/service) applications at a venerable retail show in New York. "Windows Embedded POSReady 2009" debuts at the 98th annual National Retail Federation (NRF) Show, scheduled from Jan. 11 Jan. 14.
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