Microsoft Announces Windows CE 3.0

Microsoft today announced Windows CE 3.0 at WinHEC in New Orleans. To be available in June, CE 3.0 has been "Built from the ground up for the embedded and appliance market."


The goal of version 3.0 is to "enable millions of developers to utilize their knowledge of the Windows-based programming model and easily develop on the Windows CE platform." The software will target applications for the recently released Pocket PC, Microsoft’s handy challenge to Palm's dominance of the hand-held organizer market.



"With improved real-time support, rich multimedia functionality such as the DirectX API and Windows Media, enhanced Internet capabilities, and DCOM for Windows CE, Windows CE 3.0 allows developers to create highly customizable devices while reducing their time to market." Microsoft stated in a press release.



"Windows CE 3.0 is uniquely suited for the rapidly growing market of highly flexible intelligent devices with small memory requirements because of its significantly improved reliability, familiar Windows-based programming environment and integral Web functionality," said William Baxter, president and CEO of BSQUARE Corp. "With improved configuration and debugging tools, it will be faster and easier than ever before to create embedded systems designs with Windows CE. We are pleased to support Windows CE 3.0 with a complete line of software products and services to provide development solutions for OEMs throughout each stage of their device development cycle."


According to Microsoft, the full packaged product of Windows CE 3.0 and Windows CE Platform Builder 3.0 is scheduled to be available in June, and an evaluation copy of Windows CE 'Platform Builder 3.0' will be available on the Web in June as well.