Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 is being demonstrated at the Canalys Navigation Forum event in Budapest this week (8-10 September) - But what exactly is Windows Embedded NavReady 2009?

In a C|NET article published today its described as "a Windows-based portable navigation system running a new custom version of Windows" - The article goes on to say "At a trade show in Hungary, the software maker is showing a system from Mio Technology that is running the Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 operating system". Does this mean that Microsoft is shipping another, new, embedded operating system? - Actually, no.

So what is Windows Embedded NavReady 2009? - You can think of Windows Embedded NavReady as being a Feature Pack for Windows CE 5.0, the feature pack adds a set of new features to the Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder Catalog that makes it easy for a Portable Navigation device manufacturer to build GPS Navigation devices that use a number of interesting technologies - this includes:

  1. Bluetooth Profiles (Dial Up Networking, Hands Free Profile, Phone Book Access Profile, Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)
  2. Connection Manager
  3. MSN Direct
  4. Live Search for Devices (LS4D)
  5. Sideshow

And of course the device manufacturer gets access to all of the other underlying Windows CE 5.0 operating system technologies.

- Mike