Microsoft upgraded Windows CE 5.0

On April 4, 2006, Microsoft released a set of Windows CE 5.0 operating system drivers and tools, making it easier for device manufacturers to develop products.

This upgrade is called Networked Media Device Feature Pack (briefly called the feature pack), provided free of charge to original equipment manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and Humax, according to Mr. Hardy Poppinga, a product manager. Microsoft said. Windows CE 5.0, released in July 2004, is an embedded operating system (embedded OS) that runs on PDAs (personal digital assistants), portable music players and other hardware.

Microsoft said that the feature pack is available with many built-in middleware components that provide networking, customizable user interfaces. This version supports a number of Windows Media formats and many other video formats.

A company analyst Ovum (UK) commented that Microsoft's introduction of its middleware software, reducing third-party middleware software will reduce complexity, increase device performance, increase Product development speed.

In the feature pack version, Microsoft also gives access to the source code of Windows CE. Software license with Digital Video Recorder engine with many functions such as encoding customization, file compression and digital rights management.

IDG News Service