Microsoft .NET Micro Framework 3.0 now available

The 3.0 version announced today enhances secure connectivity, with Wi-Fi integration, USB support, SSL and support for a FAT32-compatible file system. Both touch and gesture support has been added to user interface options.

The .NET Micro Framework is designed for embedded systems, extending the .NET platform to handheld devices and smaller. Developers working with .NET MF can utilize higher level programming languages to control resource-limited devices.

In February, Microsoft added Web service support to the .NET framework with the version 2.5 release. The development at that time was .NET receiving DPWS (design profile for Web services).

Hardware choices have also been extended, and .NET Micro 3.0 adds support for ARM Thumb and Thumb-2 instruction sets and the Analog Devices Blackfin processor family, which are convergent processors, or single chips that act as both a microcontroller (MCU) and digital signal processor (DSP).

"It is really exciting to see the growth in the capabilities and complexity of today's embedded devices. More and more embedded applications are integrating rich media features and sophisticated processing needs," said Colin Miller, Microsoft's .NET Micro Framework product manager.