MS prepares an update to Windows CE .NET

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.itworld.com/Comp/2245/020313nonpcwindows/">http://www.itworld.com/Comp/2245/020313nonpcwindows/</a><br /><br />All Pocket PC's (2000 and 2002) Smartphone 2002, Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edidtion and HPC 2000 devices have Windows CE underneath, each with their own custom UI and application set on top, which is what makes it Pocket PC or a Smartphone. Windows CE .NET, or WinCE 4, shipped a few months ago and I have a feeling the Pocket PC team has snagged a copy and is working on puting Pocket PC on top of it for a future generation of Pocket PC's. Meanwhile, the Windows CE team is not sitting still.<br /><br />"Microsoft also plans to release an update to Windows CE .Net by the end of the year, code-named Jameson, which will have added support for IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6), SMS (Short Messaging System) and document viewers for additional Microsoft Office applications, Kidd said.<br /><br />Windows CE .Net, which is used in devices such as in-car computers and cell phones, was first released in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Just last month, the company disclosed plans for a future version of the operating system code named Macallan that will ship in 2003. However, Jameson will be released before Macallan, Kidd said."<br /><br />Ok, CE.NET was Talisker. Now we have Jameson, and Macallan. No clue what the next version of Pocket PC is codenamed. Pocket PC 2002 was Merlin. Maybe Harry Potter? ;-) Just kidding. Merlin is a type of falcon, as were previous Pocket PC/Palm-sized PC code names, like Peregrin and Hudson.<br /><br />Keep the code names straight and understand where Windows CE falls into place on your PDA. Got questions just ask. I am sure I can add to the confusion. :-)

[Paragon]

So there is a chance I could upgrade to WindowsCE .NET without buying a new device.... DAMN I was afraid of that. :D

Dave

[ledowning]

8O So what will this proposed update give us? From browsing the Microsoft web site, I understand that we would at least get equivalent browser support up to IE 5.5, will this also mean that we get Pocket versions of Access and Powerpoint, etc.?

I would be interesting to get more details.



Thanks


Larry

[mrisher]

So there is a chance I could upgrade to WindowsCE .NET without buying a new device.... DAMN I was afraid of that. :D

Dave


Don't worry, Dave, that's probably not true. CE is the underlying operating system, the kernel. What runs on the iPaqs, etc., is a build of CE for your chipset, plus all the applications, plus the all-important shell, collectively "Pocket PC." You can't upgrade just the CE component.

The confusion is that these distinctions don't exist in the desktop world. Think of CE.NET as the "user32.dll" file, and Pocket PC 2002 as "Windows XP." "Uploading to WindowsCE.NET" would be akin to swapping out only the user32.dll file on a Windows NT machine and expecting to get exciting, new functionality.

/m

[Paragon]

mrisher

Thanks I know. Ed did mention that the PPC team did have it so I was assuming that when he talked about an update it would be to PPC.

Dave

[Ed Hansberry]

8O So what will this proposed update give us? From browsing the Microsoft web site, I understand that we would at least get equivalent browser support up to IE 5.5, will this also mean that we get Pocket versions of Access and Powerpoint, etc.?

Ok, so CE.NET includes IE5.5 bits, so any future PPC that has CE.NET as its core (vs CE 3.0) would have PIE based on IE 5.5. No on PPT and Access. That is part of the Pocket PC team, just like Excel and Word. Think of it like this.

Install Windows XP fresh with nothing else. Not too fun eh? Explorer and Windows Media. That is about it. Now, install Office, Reader, Terminal Server client and a few other goodies. This and a new UI (note how CE.NET still looks like the old Palmsized PC?) is what the PPC team does.

I would be very doubtful if any CE.NET stuff goes in to an PPC this year. Historically, PPC's roll out every 18 months. So, if they do another one in that 18 month window, that is March 2003 at the earliest, given the October 2001 rollout of PPC 2002, and this is 100% speculation on my part.

[Paragon]

I would be very doubtful if any CE.NET stuff goes in to an PPC this year. Historically, PPC's roll out every 18 months. So, if they do another one in that 18 month window, that is March 2003 at the earliest, given the October 2001 rollout of PPC 2002, and this is 100% speculation on my part.


That's if you want to consider PPC 2002 a new generation. In reality is was a minor upgrade. :wink: Although some manufacturers released some cool hardware with it.

Ed, do you have any idea how long the Pocket PC team has been working on their new version to match up with CE.NET.

Dave

[Ed Hansberry]

Ed, do you have any idea how long the Pocket PC team has been working on their new version to match up with CE.NET.

No. I don't even know for a fact they are working with CE.NET. I am speculating like the rest of you. I would find it hard to believe they were NOT moving PPC to CE.NET, but that and 2 cents will get you..., uhm... nothing!

[Paragon]

Ed, thanks for....nothing :D

Dave

[Aceze]

Hope the next PPC isnt codenamed "Albatross"... 8O

Aceze