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Microsoft® Windows® CE is an open, scalable Windows operating system platform for a broad range of communications, entertainment and mobile-computing devices. The standards-based Windows CE platform will make possible new categories of non-PC business and consumer devices that can communicate with each other, share information with Windows-based PCs, and connect to the Internet. The first products based on Windows CE, a new category of mobile companion devices for Windows-based PCs called handheld PCs, or HPCs, are anticipated to begin shipping before the end of the year from leading personal computer and consumer electronics OEMs.

Formerly known by the code name "Pegasus," Windows CE is an entirely new compact and portable operating system built from the ground up to be appropriate for a broad range of business and consumer devices. Categories of devices that Windows CE would be suitable for include small form-factor mobile-computing devices such as the new handheld PCs, "wallet" PCs, wireless-communication devices such as digital information pagers and cellular smart phones, next-generation entertainment and multimedia consoles including DVD players, and purpose-built Internet access devices such as Internet TVs, digital set-top boxes and Internet "Web phones."

Windows CE extends Microsoft's vision of 'Information at Your Fingertips' beyond the PC to a variety of computer-based devices for customers whether they are at home, in the office, at school or on the road. Windows CE makes possible new categories of products that can 'talk' to each other, share and exchange information with Windows-based PCs, and provide access to the Internet for e-mail connections or to browse the World Wide Web.

Windows CE is the cornerstone of a complete, standards-based operating environment designed to significantly lower the barriers for OEMs, hardware manufacturers and software developers to create Windows-based communications, entertainment and mobile-computing devices. The complete Windows CE environment includes the following:

* The Windows CE operating system. The Windows CE operating system is a 32-bit, multitasking, multithreaded operating system that has an open architecture design, providing support for a variety of devices. Windows CE is compact, providing high performance in limited memory configurations and is scalable, supporting a range of embedded, mobile or multimedia product lines. Windows CE also has the advantage of being portable, providing choice in microprocessors and has integrated power management, enabling long battery life on mobile devices. Standard communications support is built into Windows CE, enabling access to the Internet to send and receive e-mail or browse the World Wide Web. In addition, a graphical user interface, incorporating many elements of the familiar Windows user interface, will be available on certain devices, facilitating ease of use for end users.

* Built-in hardware, multimedia and communications support. Support for [Spacer] hardware, multimedia and communications standards means that a broad range of Windows CE-based mobile companion, information access, and entertainment devices can be created that communicate with each other, integrate with Windows-based personal computers, and access the Internet.

* Companion applications. The Windows CE operating system supports Windows CE-based companion applications that share or synchronize information with their counterparts for Windows.

* Microsoft Internet Explorer. Windows CE includes a version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, offering built-in Web access for new and existing categories of communications, entertainment and mobile-computing devices.

* Familiar Windows development environment. The Windows CE development environment supports a comprehensive, expandable subset of Win32® APIs and uses familiar off-the-shelf tools, building on the experience of thousands of developers and ensuring that a strong aftermarket for applications for Windows CE will emerge.

* Synergy with Windows-based PCs. Windows CE will be able to seamlessly synchronize, communicate and exchange information with Windows-based PCs.

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Over 40 leading hardware and software companies have committed to developing products for a new category of mobile companion devices for Microsoft Windows-based PCs called handheld PCs, or HPCs, based on Microsoft's new Windows CE platform.

The following computer and consumer electronics companies have announced their commitment to develop and manufacture HPCs: Casio Computer Co., Hewlett-Packard Co., LG Electronics, NEC Corp., and Philips Electronics. Microsoft has completed the software and has begun the release process to enable the manufacturers to bring their products to market. The various 32-bit RISC microprocessors for the first HPCs will be supplied by Hitachi Ltd., NEC Electronics and Philips Semiconductor.

HPCs have been designed to provide the millions of mobile professionals using personal computers running the Windows operating system an affordable, easy-to-use mobile PC companion to carry their most important information when they are away from their personal computer. Handheld PCs running Microsoft Windows CE provide an easy-to-learn user interface incorporating many elements of the familiar Windows user interface, come equipped with companion applications that work with the personal information management and productivity applications customers know and use every day, and provide seamless information synchronization with Windows-based PCs.

[Image] Fig. 1. Example screen display showing Windows CE for a handheld PC.

The first HPC devices are anticipated to be commercially available before the end of the year, with street prices for base configurations expected to start around $500. [Imagemap] [Spacer] [Microsoft Home]