| Microsoft enhances Windows CE for VoIP client devices |
Apr. 02, 2003
[Updated April 3, 2003] (PR excerpt) -- Today at the Spring 2003 Voice on the Net (VON) Trade Show & Expo, Microsoft announced a comprehensive Windows CE .NET-based voice over IP (VoIP) solution that enables the integration of voice communications into a variety of IP-based client devices and services such as desktops and mobile phones. The new enhancements to Windows CE include a sample Telephony User Interface (TUI), a comprehensive VoIP Application Interface Layer (VAIL) and Enterprise Infrastructure Integration services.
Microsoft also announced that leading global ODMs (original design manufacturers) and OEMs (original equipment manfacturers) are developing VoIP devices using Windows CE. Manufacturers include BCM Computers, Casio Computer Company, Hitachi, NEC Infrontia, Samsung Electronics, Symbol Technologies and Tatung. In addition, industry-leading silicon vendors, including AMD, ARM Ltd., Broadcom, Conexant Systems, Intel, MIPS Technologies, and Texas Instruments, are optimizing their CPUs and building reference designs for VoIP devices running Windows CE.
 Samsung IP phone running Microsoft Windows CE.NET 4.2.
The new VoIP enhancements to Windows CE consist of three core elements that enable OEMs and NEPs to rapidly and cost-effectively build VoIP-enabled devices for enterprise-class customer environments . . . - Telephony User Interface provides a fully integrated and telephony-specific graphical user interface that OEMs can easily customize and extend.
- VoIP Application Interface Layer provides a comprehensive, extensible VoIP application suite and API layer, based on real-time communication and SIP, enabling OEMs and network operators to easily write and customize voice applications to meet market needs.
- Enterprise Infrastructure Integration services provide new support for the .NET Compact Framework and key new security and network technologies such as IP Security (IPSec) and 802.11a to facilitate device integration into existing IT infrastructures.
The new enhancements will be included in version 4.2, the next release of Windows CE, due in the second quarter of 2003.
At Spring 2003 VON, Microsoft and Samsung demonstrated a Windows CE-based IP-enabled landline screen phone. The first wave of Windows CE-based VoIP devices is expected to be delivered to the marketplace by OEMs and ODMs during the second half of 2003. (see photo above)
The VoIP enhancements to Windows CE integrate with "Greenwich," currently in beta, to provide a standards-based and extensible real-time communications client and server solution.
The VoIP enhancements also complement the recently launched Microsoft Windows 2000 Server for Telecommunications Systems with the Server Appliance Software 2.0, embedded server software for telecommunications equipment designed for use in small to medium-sized businesses. OEMs, network operators and enterprises use Microsoft Windows 2000 Server for Telecommunications Systems to create telecommunications-centric server applications such as call centers, unified messaging and interactive voice recognition. NEC Infrontia and Radvision are among the first industry-leading companies deploying Microsoft Windows 2000 Server for Telecommunications Systems.
More information on Microsoft's new VoIP support can be found here.
(Click here for further information)
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