| Significant Windows CE 6.0 update arrives |
Nov. 12, 2007
Although its official release is not until Nov. 14, a free evaluation of "Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2" has already appeared on Microsoft's download site. According to release notes available with the download, the update contains several substantial enhancements to Windows CE functionality, including video-over-IP and Web Services for Devices (WSD).
Nov. 15 virtual launch
Microsoft's Windows Embedded group will hold a "virtual" launch event this week to introduce developers to the CE 6.0 R2 update. The 45-minute online event corresponds to the update's official launch at the Embedded Technology 2007 conference in Yokohama, Japan, the company said.
 Microsoft has promised a "fun and information-filled webcast" during which Windows Embedded general manager Kevin Dallas will review all the new features in the new version of Windows CE 6.0.
According to Microsoft's CE 6.0 R2 launch website, the update provides a number of new "technologies that embedded developers can use to boost their creative capabilities and easily establish connections to Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and other devices."
The launch websites provides a few hints as to new features in CE 6.0 R2, but the detailed release notes (see below) go much further. Enhancements touted on Microsoft's CE 6.0 R2 launch site include:- Quickly develop small footprint device scenarios and connect to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
- Build richer end user experiences and develop new capabilities into your product with WSD technologies
- Create exciting device scenarios such as VOIP video and 3-way audio with new VoIP technologies
Kevin Dallas discussed a few CE 6.0 R2 specifics in his ESC keynote in Boston last month, and in a recent interview with our sister site, eWEEK.com. For example, Dallas told eWEEK that the CE 6.0 R2 update will enable Windows CE to serve as a foundation for service-oriented devices thanks to new support for "Web Services for Devices" (WSD), a protocol already supported by Windows Vista. This, according to Dallas, will allow enabling services "on the chip, on the circuit board, on the premise[s,] or in the cloud; it doesn't matter where it is." Additionally, according to Dallas, CE 6.0 R2 provides new VoIP (voice-over-IP) video technology capabilities, as well as an update to Internet Explorer.
Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 release notes, download
The new features, improvements, and updates in Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2, according to its release notes, are:- Support for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 6.0. RDP 6.0 includes support for Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS), Network Level Authentication, Server Authentication, and 32-bit color graphics.
- Support for Microsoft Web Services on Devices (WSDAPI), which is an unmanaged code implementation of the Devices Profile for Web Services (DPWS) protocol standard.
- Support for Video over IP telephony calls.
- Additional Voice over IP (VoIP) functionality, including a VoIP boot loader application and resources for QVGA landscape mode and QVGA portrait mode user interfaces.
- Support for the Pocket Outlook Object Model (POOM) and ActiveSync in the VoIP Home Screen and VoIP Contacts applications.
- New sample board support packages (BSPs).
- Support for Auto Proxy Configuration Support in Internet Explorer 6 for Windows Embedded CE.
- New driver that supports USB CCID Smart Card readers.
- Support for Windows Media Player OLE Control Extension (OCX) 7.
- New componentized flash driver and new partition driver for the management of flash memory.
- Improved Secure Digital (SD) bus driver that supports SDHC specification 2.00 functionality, for example Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) cards.
- Sample Serial ATA driver, extended from the ATAPI driver, which supports the Promise PDC40518 SATA card.
- Support for pluggable third-party font drivers.
- Support for Extended File Allocation Table (ExFAT) and FAT32 on the x86 BIOS Loader, which provides access beyond 2 gigabytes (GB) of hard disk space.
According to the CE 6.0 R2 update download page, developers who already have Windows CE 6.0 and its related tools installed can apply the update to their existing setup. Those who do not already have Windows CE 6.0 will need to download the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Evaluation Edition and Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition 90-Day Trial, before being able to try out the CE 6.0 R2 update.
Update availability
WindowsForDevices was informed by an anonymous source that the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 update would be available from Microsoft's download site at various times on Nov. 12. When available, we were told, it could be located by searching for "CE 6.0 R2," here.
At the time of this writing, we were able to access the software download here, and the complete CE 6.0 R2 release notes document was here.
Registering for the Nov. 15 launch event
Those wishing to attend the "virtual launch" of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9:00 AM PST may do so by registering here.
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed