I am leaving Microsoft at the end of the month to pursue a new career direction. For all of you who have been reading my sporadic posts, thanks for listening and posting so many good questions.
I’m certain I will start blogging again at some point in the future but until then please feel free to follow me on twitter, https://twitter.com/_Dave_Baker_ .
All the best
-Dave
.jpg)
In 2008, NEXT decided to work with Microsoft ® and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Conchango to develop a proof of concept for a scalable Web-based kiosk application and says it was immediately impressed with the solution. The development team created a high-performing kiosk application with Windows Presentation Foundation development tools and Windows Communication Foundation. The dynamic, high-performing application not only runs on a kiosk it can also be easily adapted to run consistently on different devices, including mobile phones, computers, or laptops.
Windows Communications Foundation is part of the Microsoft .NET Framework for building and running seamlessly connected systems. It acts as a Web communications infrastructure for the NEXT kiosk solution, providing a connection layer between the user interface and applications that hold the company’s business data, such as stock inventories and billing and account information.
NEXT already uses the Microsoft Windows Point of Service environment—Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS) on its store POS systems and by deploying it on the kiosk NEXT can reap the benefits associated with managing a single environment across all its store client systems.
WEPOS provides a standardised Windows based environment including full Windows driver capability, features such as Internet Explorer, Media Player, Remote Desktop Connection and support for enterprise management tools such as Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007. WEPOS also provides full support for the .NET Framework, with the most recent version Windows Embedded POS Ready supporting the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, and delivers a fully managed code implementation of the retail UPOS standard, a retailer driven initiative which effectively delivers plug and play for retail peripherals.
Windows Presentation Foundation is also part of the .NET framework. It includes a range of tools to help development teams create dynamic, high-performing, and engaging user interfaces. With Presentation Foundation, employees can blend different content types—including documents and animated content—seamlessly.
The development team created a number of functions and features for the NEXT kiosk that make full use of the integration between business data, platform, and the user interface—for example:
Part 1: Kiosk Demo Overview
Part 2: Kiosk Demo Browsing
Part 3: Kiosk Demo Search & Save
Part 4: Kiosk Demo Transaction
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Full information at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/dd744909.aspx.
I’ve been meaning to blog this for ages. For those of you who aren’t aware the .NET Micro Framework porting kit is now available through the MS Store.
The price has been significantly reduced in price and is available through the US Store & UK Store, serving the EU. For those not served by the MS Stores the process for getting the Kit is as follows:
Send a mail to netmfbiz@microsoft.com agreeing to the US price. Mail should include name, phone number, email address, and company physical address. We will send a link in return giving access to a download site where the PK zip file is available.
You no longer have to sign a Porting Agreement requiring legal review before being granted access, simply check a click-thru-to-accept EULA at setup time.
1.
To help you deliver their next generation of embedded devices successfully, we have announced the availability (as of July 1) of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition with Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Embedded subscription. This provides a cost-effective way to license the entire line of Windows Embedded platforms and tools, receive technical support, and obtain early access to the latest Microsoft updates and resources.
The MSDN subscription includes the Visual Studio suite of software development tools and the following Windows Embedded platforms and technologies:
-
Windows Embedded CE,
-
Windows Embedded Standard,
-
Windows Embedded NavReady 2009,
-
Windows Embedded POSReady 2009,
MSDN Premium subscribers will also have access to the resources in MSDN Embedded, enhancing their existing MSDN investments.
MSDN Embedded subscribers will also have exclusive access to a new developer service called Windows Embedded Developer Update. This new service will deliver the latest technology from Microsoft and trusted 3rd parties directly into the Windows Embedded development environment. The service integrates a client on the developer’s machine to a cloud service hosting the content, such as Microsoft product updates, advanced technologies, trusted 3rd Party drivers, and board support packages (BSPs).
Visual Studio Professional 2008 with MSDN Embedded is scheduled to be available in July 2009; the Windows Embedded Developer Update service is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2010. Developers can obtain a subscription or find out more information on the Windows Embedded resources available through MSDN by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded. A comparison of MSDN Subscription options is available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/subscriptionschart.aspx.
Further details can be found here
A new addition to the Windows Embedded Server product range was announced at ESC Silicon Valley yesterday
Windows Embedded Server enables OEMs to design, build and deploy dedicated, durable server appliances that have smaller footprints, robust networking and support for large storage, aiding in the rapid setup and remote management capabilities of embedded devices. Based on the Microsoft Windows Server core operating system, Windows Embedded Server utilises security, reliability and availability features to enable embedded device solutions to help improve customer satisfaction and service, increase hardware utilisation and reduce the need for software updates.
Check out the Product Homepage here and Press Release here
Today MySpace have announced support for Silverlight and Windows Mobile - http://in.sys-con.com/node/898377.
Later this week the Silverlight Toolkit for MySpace on will be made available on CodePlex - http://www.web2expo.com/webexsf2009/public/schedule/detail/9031 making it easier for .Net developers to create applications for MySpace.
Catherine pointed me at some really interesting research that she has been doing recently, highlighting the impact of various forecasts for future supply/demand of embedded devices.
Forecasts from the EU’s Artemis initiative predict “more than 16 billion embedded devices by 2010 and over 40 billion by 2020”. [source]
The World Wireless Research Forum’s (WWRF) prediction is even more optimistic – “7 trillion devices for 7 billion people by 2017” – in other words, around a thousand devices for every man, woman and child on the planet. [source]
The market for mobile phones and PCs seems to be ultimately bounded by the number of potential users (e.g. population). This is not the case for embedded devices; with so many opportunities for devices as ubiquitous and “invisible” computing elements, the user/device relationship is often nonexistent.
Windows-based POS Terminals Steal Market Share from Linux: Study
March 8, 2009
POS Terminals running Microsoft Windows operating systems increased from 71 percent of shipments to nearly 76 percent in 2008, taking share away from Linux and other operating systems, according to a new study by Franklin, Tenn.-based retail technology consultancy IHL Group.
"In a down year, Microsoft came out as a clear winner, particularly with their embedded operating platforms that are offered at a much lower price point than their traditional offerings," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL. "This aggressive pricing and packaging of the operating platform not only took share from Linux, but also took a heavy toll on other legacy operating systems as retailers sought replacements as part of their PCI DSS compliance initiatives."
Overall POS shipments decreased 4.2 percent in 2008, with only the grocery and supercenter/warehouse clubs segments seeing shipment gains. Other segments, such as table service restaurants and category killers (large specialty hard goods retailers) saw the greatest decrease in shipments in 2008, according to IHL's "2009 North American Retail POS Terminal Study."
According to the report, retailers in all vertical segments are seeing a larger impact due to challenges of PCI DSS compliance, and recent security breaches carry great weight in their POS purchase decision-making process. Retailers want POS systems that are compliant and offer a platform for growth for new applications.
Additional findings include:
--The shipshare of WEPOS and Windows XP Embedded terminals increased from 31 percent in 2007 to 34 percent in 2008.
--Windows Vista was used on 13.7 percent of all new POS installations in 2008, most notably as PCs used as POS terminals for smaller retailers.
--The shipshare of Linux terminals dropped from 10 percent in 2007 to 9.2 percent in 2008. The popularity of the operating system in segments that were most affected by the economic downturn (specialty stores, restaurants) played a key role in reducing overall share.
Although 2009 will be a more challenging year overall, there are numerous strategic opportunities for new POS terminals as retailers continue to replace systems and upgrade software due to PCI DSS compliance requirements.
The study reviews the shipments and installed base of POS terminals sold into retailers in North America, and includes market shipment and installed base figures, market value, situation analysis for 10 retail market segments, overall trends affecting the POS market, and forecasts through 2013. It's available for purchase at www.ihlservices.com.
Source: http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/supermarket-industry-news/e3if926640132f1fccad1aec9ad0ad1eb69
We would like to invite you to a session titled “Windows Azure Update, What it is & What it isn’t” including a Q&A session with 3 x members of the Azure team from Microsoft Corp along with a session that introduces “UK AzureNET” which is the name of what we hope evolves into UK Azure User Group / community!
Please see agenda below along with speakers bio and registration details below:-
Agenda
6.15pm - 6.30pm Arrive and Registration
6.30pm - 7:30pm Azure Update “What it is & What it isn’t” + Q&A
7.30pm - 8:00 UKAzurenet “Introduction”
8:00pm – 8.30 Food / drinks / Network
Matt Rogers (Senior Field Marketing Manager for Windows Azure)
In this role he is responsible for global go-to-market strategy, understanding customer needs for the new service, and preparing Microsoft's global sales force and partner community for the upcoming launch.
James Conard (Senior Director, Azure Services, .NET, and Visual Studio Evangelism)
James leads a global team of senior Microsoft evangelists who help customers realize the full potential of their IT investments using Microsoft’s Azure Services Platform, .NET Framework and Visual Studio. James and his team have worked with customers and Microsoft partners around the world in understanding how these Microsoft offerings reduce IT costs and project timelines while delivering innovation solutions to market.
Michael Maggs, Senior Director, Windows Azure Partner Marketing – Session Title
Michael is responsible for the global partner ecosystem of Windows Azure. He and his team work with leading system integrators, software development firms and IT consultancies to enable enterprises to adopt Microsoft’s cloud computing platform.
How do I register?
If you would like to attend this event please go to http://azureupdate.eventbrite.com/, sign up and if you have 2mins introduce yourself and say why you would like to attend J
We look forward to you seeing you at the Azure Update session and introduction of “UK AzureNET” – please feel free to pass on to colleague!
Here’s some resources from last week’s Windows Phone announcement.
Steve Ballmer and Andy Lees’ Mobile World Congress keynote featured this video showcasing Windows Mobile 6.5 … (Source with lots more content, including Windows Mobile, Zune and Desktop versions). Very Cool.
Gizmodo did a great review of the new Windows Phone user interface. Windows Mobile 6.5 Hands On- The New Interface Rocks.
Press release including “My Phone” services.
If you're interested in Windows CE 6 and want to install the trial version, you'll find that it is hosted as a Visual Studio 2005 plug in. The visual studio trial edition is no longer available on the Microsoft Download web site, but you can still download it, along with the necessary Service Packs & Patches, from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/bb961981.aspx.
Olivier, covers more details in his blog posting http://blogs.msdn.com/obloch/archive/2009/01/02/windows-embedded-ce-6-trial-version-wherre-can-i-find-visual-studio-2005-trial-edition.aspx.
Rob Miles has come up with a new spin on seasonal project by making his festive lights flash red whenever he posts a new entry on his blog :).
Check out http://blogs.msdn.com/coding4fun/archive/2008/11/27/9149635.aspx for all of the information on the .NET Micro Framework and the hardware and code required for this cool festive project.
Microsoft Silverlight powers rich application experiences wherever the Web works including mobile devices. Silverlight provides a homogenous platform for developers to target a large number of devices as well as deliver rich interactive applications with scalable vector graphics user interfaces and mobile-optimized media. Further, Silverlight for mobile enables developers to reuse their existing desktop code, content and skills, and leverages the flexible .NET programming model.
It's not available just yet but take a look at http://silverlight.net/learn/mobile.aspx for more details and links to some great sessions. You can also catch Amit Chopra & Giorgio Sardo's excellent session at PDC here.
Rob Miles, a professor at the University of Hull, and with whom I had the pleasure of delivering a couple of .NET Micro Framework [2] sessions at TechEd EMEA last year, has released his C# teaching materials for free. He has called it the "yellow book", since it is yellow and structured like a normal book. He has made it available from www.csharpcourse.com.
The book contains 185 pages and covers everything from how to start with C# (like the basic language constructs) to how to create user interfaces, components and even how to encapsulate the logic of your application into business objects.
You need to look no further than...
Happy building
- Dave
