Windows CE 6.0 beta released

Microsoft's suite promises better capabilities for thin clients and mobile devices

Microsoft has released to developers a beta edition of Windows CE 6.0, the next version of its embedded operating system, set to ship later this year. The release prepares the ground for a new generation of devices with greater capabilities, according to Microsoft. It also now comes with better support in the Visual Studio 2005 developer suite.

Windows CE is Microsoft's platform for information appliances, thin client terminals, and other devices. It also forms the core of Windows Mobile software for handhelds and smartphones.

Codenamed Yamazaki, Windows CE 6.0 has a redesigned kernel capable of handling up to 32,000 simultaneous processes, each of which can have up to a 2GB memory space. Windows CE 5.0 only supports up to 32 simultaneous processes.

Mukund Ghangurde, group product manager for Microsoft’s embedded systems unit, said there is a trend for devices to become more complex and run a greater number of processes. More of Windows CE 6.0's features will be unveiled later this year, closer to the launch date, Ghangurde said. "This beta is chiefly to help developers bring products to market around the September timeframe," he added.

The code was made available to developers at Microsoft's Mobile & Embedded Developer Conference in Las Vegas.

Another key feature is that the Platform Builder environment for Windows CE is now a plug-in for Microsoft's Visual Studio 2005 mainstream developer suite. "This delivers a superior development platform for the developer community and enables them to come out with more innovative devices," Ghangurde said.