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WindowsForDevices year-end review: Top software stories of 2008
2001-12-31 Article Rating:  / 0
JANUARYYAHOO COUNTERS "ANDROID" WITH MOBILE WIDGETSIn a move reminiscent of Google's "Android," Yahoo! has announced its own toolkit aimed at improving mobile phones as Web services clients. Early proponents of Yahoo! Mobile Widgets include phone vendors LG and Motorola, with mobile browser vendor Access also looking at the technology.
Details WINDOWS MOBILE BROWSER CLAIMED "FIVE TIMES" FASTER Japanese 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. Details FEBRUARY The 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. Details CE-BASED PHONE STACK SUPPORTS TOUCHSCREENS Intrinsyc 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 SHIPS Zumobi 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. Details MICROSOFT BEEFS UP .NET MICRO FRAMEWORK NETWORKING Microsoft 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. Details GOOGLE TOOLS LET AJAX APPS RUN OFFLINE Google 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. Details MARCH MICROSOFT TO ADD NATIVE NFC TO WINDOWS MOBILE Microsoft 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. Details WINDOWS MOBILE BROADENS WEB FORMAT SUPPORT Windows 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. Details MICROSOFT CASTS SILVERLIGHT ON WINDOWS MOBILE Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT UPDATES .NET SOFTWARE FOR POS DEVELOPERS Microsoft 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. Details APRIL MICROSOFT UNVEILS WINDOWS MOBILE 6.1 Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT SPARES XP FOR LOW-COST LAPTOPS Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT RENAMES EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEMS At 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. Details MAY MICROSOFT GIVES AWAY NEXT-GEN ROBOTICS TOOLS Microsoft 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. Details QT RELEASE FINALIZES SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS CE, MOBILE Trolltech 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. Details MICROSOFT 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. Details CITRIX SHIPS VIRTUAL DESKTOP PLATFORM Citrix 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. Details MICROSOFT 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. Details JUNE MICROSOFT TIPS .NET MF 3.0 HIGHLIGHTS Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT TARGETS PNDS WITH NEW EMBEDDED OS Microsoft 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. Details JULY MICROSOFT RELEASES SERVER VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGY Microsoft 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. Details OPERA BETAS NEW WINDOWS MOBILE BROWSER Opera 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. Details MICROSOFT FINALIZES XO XP Microsoft 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. Details SKYFIRE TROUNCES COMPETITORS IN MOBILE BROWSER COMPARO An 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. Details WINDOWS MOBILE GAINS CLOUD SYNC Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT SHIPS .NET MF 3.0 BETA Microsoft 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. Details AUGUST MICROSOFT UPDATES EMBEDDED OSES Microsoft 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). Details SEPTEMBER GOOGLE SPINS WEB BROWSER Google 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. Details MICROSOFT DEMOS MOBILE CLOUD SYNC CLIENT Microsoft 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. Details INTRINSYNC SPINS SOLEUS UPGRADES Intrinsyc 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. Details OCTOBER WINDOWS MOBILE 6.1 CLEARS SECURITY HURDLE Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT UNLEASHES NEW EMBEDDED OS Microsoft 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. Details 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. Details MICROSOFT ENHANCES LIVE MESH Microsoft 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. Details MICROSOFT CONFIRMS WINDOWS MOBILE 6.5 Microsoft 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. Details DECEMBER NEW MICROSOFT SMARTPHONE OS RUMORED Microsoft 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. Details CARRIERS 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. Details POS 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. Details
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