Dave Baker's WebLog : Windows CE

MSDN Embedded Subscription Announced

davbaker — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:44:25 GMT

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 3^rd 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

Looking for Windows CE Supported BSP's or Drivers?

davbaker — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:35:59 GMT

You need to look no further than...

Happy building
- Dave

MirrorPilot - Reflecting on Satellite Navigation

davbaker — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:29:51 GMT

Frank blogged about this cool device yesterday. MirrorPilot is a Satellite Navigation device that's behind a semi-transparent mirror (so you don't see it when it's off). Running CE 5.0, the BSP is designed by Keith & Koep and the navigation software is by Elektrobit, and the thing is running CE 5.0.

The MirrorPilot is produced by Paragon Fidelity (http://www.paragon-online.de/en/index.php?a=5).

New version of Windows CE - ScarecrowReady

davbaker — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:05:00 GMT

OK - so this blog is in desperate need of a relaunch. But whilst I'm working on some new content I couldn't resist bringing you a sneak preview of our newest version of Windows CE. ScarecrowReady...

No it's not a real product, but always interesting to see the variety of different uses for Windows Embedded (and its disks). For a showcase of real products using Windows Embedded, take a look here.

Thanks to Caroline for the photos.

Paris Techdays - Me, Mike and Olivier talk about Embedded...

davbaker — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:59:31 GMT

Olivier blogged about this a while back, but I came across it whilst I was pulling material together for MEDC. During the Paris Techdays in February, Oliver Bloch, Mike Hall and myself where interviewed about Microsoft Embedded technologies: Windows CE 6.0, Windows XP Embedded, and the .NET Micro Framework.

Don't be afraid the interview starts in French, all the technical bits are in English :)

Windows CE Multimedia Device Development Webcast.

davbaker — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:25:58 GMT

This has been in my ToDo list for ages and I finally got round to looking at it today and strongly recommend it if you are interested in or looking to develop a multimedia device/ Set Top Box.

The webcast is intended to help developers "discover how Windows Embedded can help you balance more complex applications and shorter product development timeframes while meeting the need for value-added features." and explains technologies such as Digital Rights Management (DRM) and digital video playback and recording using Windows CE.

The webcast is available for on-demand viewing, here. There is also a transcript of the event's question and answer session here.

It's not what you've got, its what you do with it! Windows Embedded in the Enterprise - Free Webinar

davbaker — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:54:56 GMT

Embedded platforms are being increasingly used as part of enterprise solutions to help improve efficiency and drive down cost. If these type of solutions are of interest to you sign up for the free webinar "Windows Embedded Opportunities in Enterprise Organizations," will be held on June 28 at 8:00PM GMT. For further details and registration go here.

Big Book of BSP Goes Live!

davbaker — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:36:39 GMT

Check out Called the "Big Book of BSP" and hosted on the Channel 9 website. The wiki, specifically for developers of Windows CE and Windows Mobile board-support packages (BSP's), aims to provide "comprehensive information pertaining to Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile BSPs."

The wiki contains the knowledge on BSPs from within Microsoft and covers topics such as:

Introduction to BSPs
What you need to create a BSP
Features of a BSP
Board bringup
Advanced debugging topics for BSPs
Switching between debug and retail
How to know your BSP is done
How to get support for BSP development

The team encourages users of the the Big Book of BSP to participate in the evolution of its content. The wiki is now "open for direct edits," and can be found here.

Give your input on Windows Mobile and Embedded documentation

davbaker — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:11:13 GMT

The Windows Mobile and Embedded Content Publishing team wants to determine the and general satisfaction with, the currently available technical documentation, in order to help determine future improvements.

Unfortunately, no prizes, bribes, or T-shirts, just the satisfaction of helping to improve the technical documentation. The survey is here, and should only take five minutes or so to complete.

Windows CE guides Vista and Office 2007 around the UK

davbaker — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:40:00 GMT

In case you hadn’t noticed Microsoft UK kicked off the Developer launch for Windows Vista and the Office system 2007 today with two days of activity at our offices in Reading. The event was so popular that there wasn’t enough room for everyone so Mike, Mark, Daniel and Martin are taking to the road next week to bring the content to a venue near you.

In about 90 minutes they will introduce you to the developer story for:

· Windows Vista’s new operating system features that your application can use.

· The .NET Framework version 3.0, including support for application workflow, distributed applications and a rich presentation layer.

· The new Office 2007 System and how you can access the data in documents; surface your information and create a context aware interface for your users.

And what will be guiding them around the country in this intrepid expedition, none other than Windows CE in the form of a Sat Nav donated by our Partners at RoadAngel. This devices will not only guide them around the highways and byways but will also warn them of accident blackspots ensuring they get to all their presentations in one piece.

They will be driving a pretty distinctive car – So if you see them, and it’s safe to do so, pull alongside and give them a wave.

...and if you attend one of the events you’ll have the opportunity to win this very Sat Nav, fully roadtested and conveniently programmed with to location of the Microsoft office and all the events venues J.

Checkout the tour site at http://ukvistaofficelaunchtour.spaces.live.com/ and follow their progress on Mark’s blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/markjo.

...and it makes coffee (Part 2)

davbaker — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:32:00 GMT

...the second in an occasional series.

Struggling for that last minute Christmas present? Know someone who loves their coffee? Check out the Windows CE based Westinghouse Beyond Home Hub and coffee maker on Amazon.

Home Hub Features:

High performance AM/FM radio with intuitive, web-programmable presets
CD Player
Automatic weather forecast updates from Accuweather
Automatic personal financial portfolio updates
Clock automatically synchronizes with US atomic clock via internet
Multiple alarms with intuitive programming via web interface
Display adjusts for easy viewing lying down or standing
Automatic daily family calendar reminders with web interface
Power failure time protection
Automatically provides programming updates and clock data to Beyond appliances
Sends and receives information to the Beyond connected Appliance Network
Small enough to easily fit on a nightstand
Microsoft CE.Net operating system

But most importantly !!!

"Since it uses always-on power-line communications to connect to the Appliances, you can even check to see if your morning coffee is ready before leaving the warmth of your bed! "

Santa's on IM now (nothpole@live.com), I wonder if he'll accept updates to my Christmas list?

Understanding Windows CE "SDK's"

davbaker — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:06:00 GMT

Ever wondered what's meant by the term "SDK," and how it applies to Windows CE or Windows Mobile device development? Sue Loh has posted another great article on the CE Base Team Blog explaining what an SDK is, and how SDKs have evolved with the release of Windows CE 6.

http://blogs.msdn.com/ce_base/archive/2006/12/14/What-exactly-is-an-SDK.aspx.

Finding Windows CE bugs with help from "Dr. Watson"

davbaker — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:35:00 GMT

The key to fixing a bug discovered in the field is accurate information about the system's state when the bug manifests itself. Check out Abraham Kcholi and Gad Meir’s whitepaper on Windows for Devices where they show how the Windows CE Error Reporting module can be used to retrieve that information.

http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT7568439504.html

Memory Marshalling in Windows CE 6.0

davbaker — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:15:00 GMT

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 introduced a new, "third generation" kernel. Unsurprisingly, changes to the kernel architecture have impacted the way system software such as drivers and servers access memory. Sue Loh has put together yet another great whitepaper that explains the new memory access procedures.

Check out the Windows CE Base team blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/ce_base/archive/2006/11/09/Memory-marshalling-in-Windows-CE.aspx

Differences between Windows CE 6 and CE 5 Device Drivers

davbaker — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:09:00 GMT

WindowsForDevices has some really great stuff this week...

You may have seen the Juggs Ravalia interview, on the CE 6.0 driver model that I posted a while back. Sue Loh has written a great whitepaper that puts more substance around porting device drivers from CE 5 to CE 6 and explains how they differ and why.

Check Out http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT4670249763.html for more details.