I get asked all the time “John, what are you guys doing over there at Microsoft that’s new for Embedded?” The Short answer to that question is “Tons!”
The longer answer is that we a have a series of webinars coming up that will introduce you to some of the things we’ve been working on in Windows Embedded.
That should give you plenty to do for a little while.
enjoy!
-JC
Today is the first day of the Windows Embedded Americas Partner summit! a large collection of Windows Embedded Partners are here in San Francisco, CA to learn about upcoming programs, share ideas, and learn more about what Microsoft is doing to promote Windows Embedded.
It’s great to see our partners all represented. We have Distributors, System Integrators, Silicon Vendors, and ISV’s. Having been around a while, I recognize a lot of the faces here!
In fact, I’m sitting in the room here with the folks from Arrow Electronics! right next to me, Susan Fakharzadeh, Arrow’s newest Embedded Server BDM is furiously taking notes, so that she can be as efficient as possible in her new role! Great Job, Susan!
I’ll post more later, and maybe some pics too!
In case you didn’t see it – today we launched a “contest” of sorts where you can host a party to share your Windows 7 Experiences, or even do some learning of Windows 7 on your own. This is a Worldwide event, and everyone can play!
The party is supposed to be hosted between October 22-29 (Wonder why they chose that timeframe?) , and if you’re selected to host a party, you’ll get cool stuff, like a signature edition of Windows 7 at launch, and a “Windows 7 Party Pack” – Wonder what that is?
Details, and the signup form can be found here
Unleash your inner geek and join us for the Windows 7 Launch Wave!
I already signed up to host a party… anyone wanna come?
JC
We sometimes get asked what we do in the embedded world for Manufacturing and Industrial Automation – well here’s your chance to hear about Windows Embedded for Manufacturing!
Chris Muench and I will be hosting a webinar on September 17th specifically to talk about IA and MFG!
We’ll talk about the different platforms and how their architecture, and Standards-based development help in these types of scenarios…
You can read more about it here as well as get registered to attend.
Should be good times! Hope to see/hear a few of you on the webcast!
for those of you who haven’t heard, we’re working on our new release of Windows Embedded Standard – this one will be based on the binaries of Windows 7! (which is due out in Desktop form very soon! ) the Embedded release will be the “componentized” version of Windows 7. we’re not quite ready for release on it…
Today, however we launched a Community Technology Preview that will let you get hands on, and see what it’s all about check it out here.
here’s what Kevin Dallas, GM of the Windows Embedded Business, had to say about today’s release:
“To meet the demand for improved user experiences and connectivity among today’s rapidly growing categories of specialized devices, Microsoft has strategically planned the release of Windows 7-based technologies to OEMs in the embedded marketplace,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft. “The availability of the Windows Embedded Standard 2011 CTP empowers our worldwide ecosystem of OEMs, partners and developers to take advantage of the next-generation platform’s enhanced Windows 7-based features and provide feedback prior to its general release to manufacturing. We encourage the embedded community to take full advantage of the CTP’s availability and join in our excitement as we look ahead to the future availability of Windows Embedded platforms incorporating Windows 7 technologies.”
You can check out the full press release here.
Great job Embedded Team!
in case you’re looking for yet another blog to read , here’s one that might be of interest for developers.
Joe Broxson, who’s a Sr. Dev for Adeneo Embedded here in the US. He’s giving some links for training on various Microsoft Embedded Operating systems, including XPE, POSReady, and CE! check his blog out here
Welcome to the blog community, Joe!
I had to repost this, because someone played with the privacy settings for the video!
Our Friends at Bsquare just posted a link to a press release on the Coke Freestyle machine! very cool device that’s powered by Windows CE. Bsquare, a Windows Embedded Gold Partner, consulted with Coca-Cola for the last 2 years on this device, and now it’s in testing here in the USA. this little ditty is already winning awards!
Here’s Steve Dearden from Bsquare giving you a tour of the device!
Great Job Bsquare! Now, can it do Beer/Wine too? Here’s to you!
Today at our inaugural Black Belt Bootcamp we spent the day talking about Windows Embedded CE, and all the great things that we have to offer for Real-Time, battery powered devices, etc.
we talked about some of the things to come (insert NDA, so I can’t say more)
then we rounded out the day talking to the CE/Compact team. Not to be outdone by the EW team, they came in to listen to some feedback from the day, as well as share some of their Vision for the Future. and my good friend, Mike Hall was in the room talking about his new ideas too… Here’s a pic of the team interacting with the Distributor guys!
Thanks for stopping by, guys!
We wrapped up day with with a visit from the Embedded Windows product unit - (this is the team that’s responsible for XPe and Windows Embedded Standard. )
We had some great discussions on the future of Windows Embedded, and what Microsoft’s plans and thoughts are about the industry… it was a great session… this is a perfect reason to become a Distributor Black Belt!
Here’s the team talking to the group:
Thanks for the time, Team!
Often, I get asked for when and where’s on CE official training. so here’s one. if you have partners that you know of that’s offering a Training, let me know, and I’ll post for everyone.
Here’s one:
Our friends at Adeneo Embedded will be offering CE training coming up in June! This is a good prep to get you started on your way to our MCP certification.
These guys are great. They are a Windows Embedded Gold partner, as well as have MVP’s on Staff. They offer ISV Services, as well as their Training Programs.
they have offered a Free Atmel or Freescale Development Kit to each Attendee!
From their Website:
The upcoming sessions are:
Here is the agenda:
For more information, Pricing and registration, contact sales@adeneo-embedded.com
Great Job, Adeneo! Thanks for Supporting CE!
This week, we have our Black Belt Distributor Engineers in town for some deep-dive training, as well as some sessions with some of the Product management team. Today, we had lunch with Kevin Dallas, GM of the Windows Embedded Business Unit – Here’s Kevin now, sharing his vision for the Future of embedded devices! Very interesting discussions!
Thanks for Stopping by, Kevin!
For those of you who haven’t downloaded the Windows 7 Release Candidate yet, here’s yet another reason to. XP mode.
Let’s say you have an application that you know has issues with Windows Vista or Windows 7, such as say… the CE 5.0 Tools, running in conjunction with the CE 6 tools?
Mind you, the tools are good, but they’re dated, and it’s not feasible to update the older tools for newer OS. but the dilemma – we embedded folk have to use tools and Operating systems for longer than normal commercial lives of computers!
The solution? use multiple boxes in your office, raising the heat levels and electricity consumption?
No…
it’s now very simple – run it in XP mode! Here’s how it works:
1. Install the Windows 7 Release Candidate for your machine (you should have done that already!)
Note: in order for this to work, your machine must support either Intel Virtualization Technology, or the AMD-V feature. (Hardware assisted Virtualization)
2. download the Virtual PC Beta and XP Mode package from the Microsoft Virtual PC homepage
install it, and you’re off to the races.
You interact with the installation of XP in Virtual PC just like you’d think – it’s a window that opens and you interact with a virtual Operating system.
Why, what’s that you see in the menu? yes, it’s a USB selection! you can redirect USB devices to your virtual PC session, such as Flash Disks, or HDD’s. one of the new improvements.
From there, you install your application, as you normally would, in the virtual PC window, and the system takes care of the rest for you! when it’s complete, you close the virtual PC session (don’t save your login state, as it will automatically close when you run apps in XP mode.), and then go to the Virtual PC menu. you’ll see a new entry called Virtual Windows XP Applications
See here I’ve installed Windows CE 5.0 Tools!
When you run that application, it will initialize the Virtual PC session in the background, but all you’ll see is the application running in your Windows 7 UI!
Go check it out! probably one of the coolest features I’ve seen for embedded developers on Windows 7. we often times have to run multiple versions of the dev tools, that might cause issues running in 7 or running side by side! This is a great solution to that problem!
Enjoy!
Mike just posted a great video, by Olivier Bloch, talking about Windows Embedded: From Sensors to Servers. Olivier shows off a CE device, that is the hard real-time control for a robot arm, as well as a WES device that’s the HMI for the system. the two communicate over a network, using DPWS discovery for the WPF HMI unit to find the CE device with the actual arm, and output data accumulated to a Windows Embedded Server… it’s a great watch, as well as a good example of distributed embedded computing.
Hey, Wait! isn’t that UI on the WES device one of Anthony Handley’s, from Magenic? He’s a great UI designer, and they’re, of course, a Microsoft Gold Partner!
Check it out here!
Great Job, Mike and Olivier!
we met with the folks from Kopin today, who announced the “Golden-I” device here at Tech ED.
It’s a great example of a next generation wearable computer device based on Windows Embedded CE 6.0! this device boasts full Voice Recognition, and the ability to playback video and Audio. Here are Olivier and Avet in our TLC booth at TechED demonstrating what it’s like to be one with a device!
we can’t seem to get Avet to part with it… I think he wants to be a Borg! This device is certainly getting a ton of attention in our Booth!
More cool stuff to come!
TTYL